From the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO):

The WCSO reminds residents that our office will never contact you demanding payment for missed jury duty or an outstanding warrant. If you receive one of these calls, it is a scam, and you should hang up immediately.

Over the last several months the WCSO has received numerous calls for service involving law enforcement impersonation scams. The scammers are telling the recipient they are with a local law enforcement agency and are contacting them for missed jury duty, an outstanding warrant, or other police-related matter. The scammer tells the victim to wire money and/or purchase gift cards. They are then instructed to provide the gift card numbers to take care of the warrant. DO NOT send the numbers, wire money, or meet with the individual to provide payment.

These scams can feel real, but they are not! Scammers are using real names of local police officers and may even “spoof” the phone number so that the Sheriff’s Office shows up on your caller I.D. They may even know personal information about you, but it is a SCAM!

The Social Security Administration also warns of scams involving Social Security-related information. If you receive a call, text, or email that:

• Threatens to suspend your Social Security number, even if they have part or all of your Social Security number
• Warns of arrest of legal action
• Demands or requests immediate payment
• Requires payment by gift card, prepaid debit card, internet currency, or by mailing cash
• Pressures you for personal information
• Requests secrecy
• Threatens to seize your bank account
• Promises to increase your Social Security benefit
• Tries to gain your trust by providing fake “documentation,” false “evidence,” or the name of a real government official …

… it is a SCAM!

You can protect yourself and others from Social Security-related scams by staying calm. Do not provide anyone with money or personal information when you feel pressured, threatened, or scared. Hang up on the caller or ignore (and block) the text or email. If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email or do not respond. Government employees will not threaten you, demand immediate payment, or try to gain your trust by sending you pictures or documents.

If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email that mentions Social Security, ignore it and report it to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Do not be embarrassed if you shared personal information or suffered a financial loss.

For more information read the “Don’t Fall Victim to Gift Card Scams” consumer alert from the Attorney General. https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-81903_20942-455838--,00.html

Please help by sharing this information with friends and relatives. You may not fall for this scam, but others might. Post on social media using the hashtag #SlamtheScam to share your experience and warn others. Together, we can make a difference.