Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reiterated her warning to residents about a scam involving impersonation of government entities. Reports of this scam have surfaced across the state, with recent incidents occurring in West Michigan. In these cases, individuals posing as representatives from the Kent County Sheriff’s Department contact residents, falsely claiming they missed jury duty and must post bond immediately.

Attorney General Nessel emphasizes that "delinquent jurors are never contacted by phone to pay fines for missed jury duty." She clarified that official notifications are always sent by mail with clear instructions on how to proceed.

"Scammers use fear and intimidation as tactics to steal your hard-earned money," Nessel stated. She advised, "A government agency will never demand immediate payment over the phone. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with a government agency and suspect it’s a scam, hang up and verify the agency’s contact information."

To safeguard against such scams, Nessel recommends conducting independent internet research. By searching for the official phone number of the purported government agency, individuals can confirm its legitimacy without relying on potentially fraudulent information provided by scammers.

Residents are also encouraged to search online for any phone numbers they are asked to call back. This step may help determine if the number is associated with a legitimate government agency or is part of a scam operation. Attorney General Nessel urges all Michigan residents to remain vigilant and informed to prevent falling victim to scams.

For further information, residents can view the Government Imposter Scams alert.