Full Notification

NEWS MEDIA INFORMATION REPORT


SUBJECT OF RELEASE: Telephone Scams


Attempts to scam unsuspecting victims over the telephone are not something new to the residents of Montcalm County. The stories being told to the would be victims have changed over the years however there is a new attempt that the Sheriff’s Office thinks the public needs to be made aware of.

Recently the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office has received reports from citizens of phone calls being received and the caller claims to be an employee of the Sheriff’s Office. The citizen is told that there is a warrant for their arrest and unless they provide financial information or follow directions to provide funds to the caller the citizen will be arrested. Names of past and current Sheriff’s employees have been given as well as the Sheriff’s name.

The Sheriff’s Office does not call individuals and take money over the telephone from those with active warrants. If you received a call like this you are safe to assume it is a scam. As with this scam, or other similar ones, such as the caller claiming to be with the IRS, Sheriff Barnwell recommends never giving your personal or financial information to anyone who has called requesting that type of data.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding these types of calls you may contact the Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency.