Scammers continue to impersonate government officials, according to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard.
In a statement issued Friday, he appealed to residents to remember no one from his office will call or text demanding payments for any reason.
“These scams are frustrating and robbing innocent citizens of their hard-earned money,” Bouchard said, adding that scammers also pose as other government officials to demand money immediately.
He said residents should end a phone call and ignore or delete email or text messages demanding money for missed jury service or to bond out a loved one from jail, adding “if you get such a call that you did not initiate, don’t believe it.”
One potential victim became suspicious when the caller gave accurate personal information about him and quoted laws he allegedly violated. The man hung up and called the sheriff’s office. Another scammer posed as a sheriff’s sergeant and read the woman’s social security number to her. She called the serif’s office instead of handing over cash, according to Bouchard.
“The Sheriff’s Office would never use a social security number as an identifier for a person over the phone,” Bouchard said.
Other potential victims have called County Executive Dave Coulter’s office to ask if the calls are legitimate.
Bouchard said anyone concerned about such calls should call dispatchers at (248) 858-4950.