Michigan's own Attorney General Dana Nessel is putting out a warning call to consumers about a tricky scam that's masquerading as the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. In what's a classic government imposter setup, these fraudsters are dialing up residents, pretending to be from the sheriff’s office, and are either demanding cash on the spot for supposed legal issues or they're leaving urgent voicemails about so-called urgent legal matters.
The scammers have a knack for seeming credible, using personal info to make their act more convincing and to get you to act fast. But as Nessel points out, when your phone rings with this kind of news, keep a cool head and do your due diligence. "These sophisticated scams are designed to intimidate victims," Nessel said, per the Michigan Department of Attorney General. And remember, you'll want to reach out to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department directly—double-check using a publicly known phone number, not the one the scammer gave you.
The AG isn't just sounding the alarm; she's also offering up some protective measures for folks who have been contacted by scammers. To keep yourself safe, Nessel advises blocking the text, email, or call; refraining from clicking any links or opening attachments; reporting the spam; and then deleting the voicemail, text, or email right off your device. And it's always good to have on hand – government agencies, they're not going to ask for cash via email, over the phone, or in a text. Nor are they going to deal with prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or pay apps for payments.
