WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office issued a warning Friday about phone scams targeting residents.
Scammers are calling and saying they are from the Sheriff's Office. They leave a message with a phone number to call, and when the victim calls back, they get a voicemail that mimics the official Sheriff's Office voicemail.
Once victims select an option from the voicemail line, they are connected to a real person.
The scammer either will tell the victim that they missed jury duty and they have a warrant for their arrest, or tell the victim that their grandchild is in jail and needs bail money.
In both instances, the victim is told to purchase a prepaid money card and give the numbers to the caller.
According to authorities, common scams have recently netted $1,500 and $3,000 from victims. In the past few days, four scammers have attempted to get money.
Officials from the Sheriff's Office said that it's not normal for so many scams to be had in such close proximity.
Though the voicemail sounds official, the Sheriff's Office would not call demanding money.