How to Check for Outstanding Warrants and Spot Text-Message “Warrant” Scams (Philippines)

Overview

This article explains:

what arrest, bench, alias, and search warrants are in the Philippine legal system;
practical, lawful ways to check if you might have an outstanding warrant;
what to do if you discover (or suspect) one exists; and
how to recognize and handle text-message “warrant” scams.

It is written for individuals and businesses in the Philippines and reflects general Philippine practice. It is not a substitute for legal advice on your specific facts.

1) Warrants, in a nutshell

Types of warrants

Arrest Warrant – Issued by a judge upon a finding of probable cause for a criminal offense. Authorizes law enforcers to arrest the named person.
Bench Warrant – Issued by the court (often in a pending case) when an accused or witness fails to appear as required (e.g., arraignment, promulgation, hearing).
Alias Warrant – A reissued arrest warrant when the original was unserved or recalled in error, or when the accused evades arrest.
Search Warrant – Authorizes seizure of specifically described items at a particular place, issued upon probable cause. Validity is limited (generally 10 days from issuance); it must be returned to the issuing court after service. Arrest warrants do not have a fixed expiry and remain in force until served or quashed.

Key constitutional and procedural principles

Warrants issue only upon probable cause personally determined by a judge after examination under oath/affirmation of the complainant and witnesses, with particularity as to the person or items to be seized.
Warrantless arrests remain possible in narrow situations (e.g., in flagrante delicto, hot pursuit, escapees). A text message is never how arrests are lawfully “served.”

2) How to check if you might have an outstanding warrant

There is no single public, nationwide online database that definitively tells you whether a Philippine court has issued a warrant for you. The most reliable methods involve checking official records that relate to cases in which you are a party or potential accused.

A. Start with your own case exposure

Have you been investigated or complained against?
- If yes, identify the police station, CIDG/NBI office, or city/provincial prosecutor’s office that handled the complaint.
- Track the docket number (e.g., NPS number at the prosecutor; criminal case number at the court).
Were you notified of a subpoena or resolution?
- A prosecutor’s Resolution finding probable cause and an Information filed in court are common precursors to an arrest warrant.

B. Court-level verification (most authoritative)

Clerk of Court (trial court where the Information may have been filed): Call or visit the Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) of the likely venue (often where the alleged crime occurred or where an element happened). Provide your full name, any known aliases, offense, and possible case dates. Ask if a criminal case exists and whether a warrant of arrest has issued or been returned served/unserved. Tip: Bring one government ID and proof of interest (e.g., you are the named person).
If you know the case number: Request a certificate of pendency or a case status printout. Many courts allow you to view the case jacket or the latest minutes/order (subject to local rules and privacy constraints).

C. Prosecutor’s Office check

If you only reached inquest or preliminary investigation, ask the Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor for the case status: dismissed, for filing, or filed (with the criminal case number and the court). If “filed,” proceed to the court verification step above.

D. Police verification (service status)

Warrant Section / Intelligence (PNP): Local police stations or city/district headquarters often maintain internal lists of unserved warrants for their area. If you already know the issuing court or case, you may ask if the warrant is in their system and which unit is tasked to serve it. Important: Police data confirms service status, not the legal validity—that resides with the issuing court.

E. NBI Clearance (secondary indicator)

Applying for an NBI Clearance can reveal if you have a “hit,” which may indicate a pending case or name similarity. This does not prove a warrant exists, but it’s a useful flag. If you get a hit, comply with NBI verification to determine whether it pertains to you and request correction if it’s a namesake.

F. Counsel-assisted nationwide sweep

A lawyer can issue targeted requests to suspect venues (courts and prosecutors) and formally correspond with regional police/NBI to reconcile records. Counsel may also check appellate dockets if there are motions or special civil actions related to your case.

3) What to do if there is (or may be) a warrant

If you confirm a warrant of arrest

Coordinate counsel immediately. Counsel can verify the exact text of the warrant and the bail recommendation (if bailable).
Arrange a safe, orderly surrender. Voluntary surrender through the issuing court or the police/NBI often facilitates quick processing of bail and may be considered favorably in future court assessments.
Prepare bail documents.
- Cash or bond (through an accredited surety).
- Government-issued ID, TIN, recent photos if required, and any co-makers for surety.
- Secure a certificate of detention if bail is to be approved outside regular hours.
File a Motion to Recall/Lift Bench Warrant (for nonappearance). Explain cause (e.g., lack of notice, medical emergency) and show good faith (appearance, submission to jurisdiction). Attach evidence.
Consider a Motion to Quash (arrest or Information) where legally proper. Grounds may include lack of jurisdiction, offense facts not constituting an offense, or invalid warrant (e.g., lack of particularity or defective probable-cause determination). Discuss strategy with counsel.
Comply with subsequent court dates and conditions (travel authority, bail conditions). A fresh bench warrant can issue on any new noncompliance.

If you’re unsure but risk is real

Preemptive appearance through counsel at the suspected court to check the docket is acceptable and common.
If you have a similar-name “hit,” consider a judicial affidavit of identity practice with your lawyer, and maintain copies of IDs to distinguish you from namesakes.

4) How “warrant” scams via text work—and how to spot them

Scammers exploit fear with urgent SMS/Viber/WhatsApp messages claiming:

you have a “court warrant” for arrest;
you must pay a “fine/bail/clearance fee” immediately via e-wallet or bank transfer;
clicking a link to “view the warrant”; or
calling a “case officer” using a private mobile number.

Red flags (treat any one as suspicious)

Demands for payment via e-wallet/bank transfer to “cancel” a warrant. Courts and law enforcement do not collect bail/fines by text. Bail is posted with the court or official cashier/treasurer and evidenced by an official receipt and order.
Links/attachments purporting to be the warrant. Genuine warrants are served personally by peace officers (or shown during service), not as clickable files from unknown numbers.
Generic greetings (“Dear citizen”), wrong name spelling, or missing case numbers/issuing court.
Caller ID spoofing claiming to be “PNP,” “NBI,” or “Court.” Official lines rarely text out of the blue about warrants—and never to demand remote payment.
Threats of immediate arrest unless you pay or give data. Arrests are executed by officers, not by SMS extortion countdowns.

What to do if you receive such a message

Do not click links, download files, or reply with personal data. Delete or block the number after preserving evidence.
Preserve evidence: take screenshots showing the number, message content, date/time, and any links.
Verify independently (if worried): contact the Clerk of Court or the local police station using publicly listed numbers (not the number that texted you).
Report to cybercrime authorities (e.g., PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or NBI Cybercrime Division) and to your telco/NTC channels for spam/scam texts.
If you clicked a link:
- Immediately disconnect from the network, scan your device, change passwords from a safe device, and enable MFA.
- Monitor your e-wallet/bank for unauthorized activity; notify providers to flag the account.

5) Privacy and identity concerns

The Data Privacy Act protects your personal information. Legitimate officials should minimize data collection and will use official emails/letters and face-to-face service for warrants.
If a namesake causes repeated “hits,” consider working with counsel to secure certifications (e.g., from NBI or the court) and maintain copies for future verification.

6) Business and HR considerations

For roles requiring background checks, obtain written consent from applicants/employees before any NBI or court record verification.
Keep any results confidential and proportionate to the job requirement; avoid discriminatory decisions based on mere “hits” without confirming identities and case outcomes.

7) Frequently asked questions

Do arrest warrants expire? No fixed expiry. An arrest warrant remains in force until served or quashed/withdrawn. Search warrants expire quickly (generally 10 days) and must be returned to the issuing court.

Can I pay bail by GCash/online if someone texts me? No. Bail is transacted through the court (or official cashier) with receipts and a court order.

Will the police text first before arresting me? They may coordinate through counsel or invite you to appear, but service of a warrant is personal. Texts demanding money are almost certainly scams.

If I have a bench warrant for missing a hearing, what now? Consult counsel, appear promptly, and file a motion to lift/recall explaining the absence. Be ready to post bail or comply with terms the court sets.

I got an NBI “hit.” Does that mean I have a warrant? Not necessarily. It may be a namesake or a closed case. Complete NBI verification and, if needed, check with the prosecutor/court.

8) Practical step-by-step checklists

Personal checklist (suspected warrant)

List places where an offense might be venued.
Call/visit the OCC of those courts; ask for case status under your name.
Check with the prosecutor’s office that handled any complaints involving you.
Apply for NBI Clearance (note and resolve any “hit”).
Engage counsel to coordinate verification and, if needed, plan voluntary surrender and bail.

Scam-defense checklist (suspicious text)

Don’t click; don’t pay; preserve the message; verify via official channels; report to cybercrime authorities; reset passwords if you interacted.

9) Templates (you may adapt with counsel)

A. Request to Clerk of Court (in person or via email)

Subject: Case Status / Warrant Verification – [Your Full Name] I respectfully request confirmation whether any criminal case and/or warrant of arrest exists under my name: [Full name, DOB, address]. Possible offense: [if known]. Approximate date: [if known]. I am requesting this for personal legal compliance. I can present valid ID and additional information upon request. Thank you.

B. Motion to Recall/Lift Bench Warrant (outline only; file through counsel)

Caption and case title/number
Urgent Motion to Recall/Lift Bench Warrant
Brief explanation of nonappearance (facts + evidence)
Voluntary appearance and submission to court jurisdiction
Undertaking to attend all future settings / updated contact info
Prayer (recall warrant; allow posting of bail if required)
Verification/MCLE/IBP details; Proposed Order

10) Key takeaways

There is no public one-click database for outstanding arrest warrants; the issuing court is the ground truth.
Arrest warrants don’t expire until served/quashed; search warrants are short-lived.
Never pay anyone by text to “cancel a warrant.” Genuine processes occur in court or with authorized officers in person.
When in doubt, verify through official channels and get legal counsel early.

Final note

If you think a warrant may exist or a scammer is targeting you, act promptly, avoid online payments, and document everything. Rights are best protected through timely verification and lawful compliance—not by engaging with texts from unknown numbers.