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Ann Arbor area law enforcement see uptick in scammers impersonating officers

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, a person uses a smart phone in Chicago. Bank impersonations are the top reported type of text message scam. Learn what to look out for so you can avoid bank-impersonation scams and keep your money safe. (AP Photo, File) (AP, Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Area residents are urged to be cautious and not fall for scams when they receive phone calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement.

Both the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and Ann Arbor Police Department are warning community members of an uptick in reports of callers pretending to be police officers or department staff.

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Scammers may demand money and claim the person they are calling has an outstanding warrant or missed a court appearance.

“We remind the public that the Sheriff’s Office will never contact you demanding payment for failing to appear in court, for an outstanding warrant, etc. If you receive such a call, it is a scam, and you should hang up immediately,” officials wrote on social media.

Police said a resident recently reported getting a call from an individual claiming to be “Captain David Gibson” with the Sheriff’s Office and demanding payment for not appearing in court. The resident was told to meet the caller at the Sheriff’s Office with the money.

Officials said community members should not meet with scammers, wire money, give gift card numbers, send money via Apple Pay, or exchange bank account information with possible scammers.

Some scammers may use a technology technique called spoofing, in which the caller ID shows a legitimate number from law enforcement.

Questions can be directed to the Sheriff’s Office at 734-994-2911 or to Ann Arbor Police Department at 734-794-6920.


About the Author
Sarah Parlette headshot

Sarah has worked for WDIV since June 2018. She covers community events, good eats and small businesses in Ann Arbor and has a Master's degree in Applied Linguistics from Grand Valley State University.

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