LANSING, Mich. — Residents across Michigan are being cautioned about a wave of deceptive calls where scammers impersonate law enforcement officials to demand payments for supposedly missed jury duty. This alert has been reissued by Attorney General Dana Nessel amidst reports of increasing incidents, particularly with claims of being from the Kent County Sheriff’s Department.
According to the state’s top law enforcement official, these con artists assert that the individuals contacted have neglected to show up for a jury summons and must urgently remit a bond payment. Nessel emphasized that using trepidation and urgency are common techniques among scammers endeavoring to exploit unsuspecting citizens.
“Our office wants to reiterate that no legitimate government entity will ever solicit payments or sensitive personal information over the telephone,” Nessel stated. “It is paramount that residents remain vigilant and verify any such demands by initiating contact through official channels.”
It has been affirmed that county courts do not approach purportedly negligent jurors via phone to collect fines or any penalties directly. Instead, authorized notifications are dispatched through the postal service, providing clear instructions on the necessary steps those individuals should take to resolve any genuine jury duty blunders.
Officials advise anyone who suspects they might be the target of a scam to conduct their own investigation into the authenticity of the caller. This can be done by independently searching for the phone number and official contact details of the purported government body to confirm whether the request is legitimate.
Helpful guidelines and resources on identifying and reporting government imposter scams are readily available on Michigan’s state websites. These offer tools and advice on how people can protect themselves from becoming victims of such deceptive practices.
Amid the rising cases of fraud, Attorney General Nessel’s office has been proactive in educating the public and providing information that assists in recognizing and reporting deceptive tactics employed by scam artists.
Residents are encouraged to remain cautious and to approach unsolicited demands for money with skepticism, especially when they are purported to be from government agencies. By taking careful and proactive actions to verify such claims, individuals can protect themselves against potential scams.
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