No Real ID

• Watch if they refuse to show ID
• Inspect badges that look damaged
• Note credentials hard to read
• Ask for name and department

Money Demands

• Refuse on-the-spot fines or bail
• Remember real officers never take cash
• Treat payment demands as a flag
• Decline and verify first

No Official Vehicle

• Question stops without a marked car
• Note missing lights or siren
• Distrust unmarked vehicle stops
• Confirm the agency before stopping

Uniform Issues

• Check uniforms that look wrong
• Inspect unusual or mismatched badges
• Note inconsistent patches or details
• Compare against known local agencies

Pressure Tactics

• Resist demands to act fast
• Distrust those blocking your questions
• Watch for threats and intimidation
• Refuse private or out-of-way stops

Verify First

• Stay calm and share nothing personal
• Ask for name, badge, department
• Call the police non-emergency number
• Report the encounter to real police

Trust Instincts

• Treat anything that feels off as a flag
• Verify when you are unsure
• Refuse pressure to skip checks
• Call emergency services if unsafe