Sheriff Warns Of Macomb County Phone Scam

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — A new phone scam has started in Macomb County, authorities warned, and it has already costed local residents thousands of dollars.

In early February, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office took two different reports of residents receiving telephone calls from an individual claiming to work for the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. The caller told the residents that they were in some type of trouble and that they needed to purchase gift cards to avoid being arrested.

How the scam unfolded

On Feb. 4, a 63-year-old Harrison Township man got a call from a man saying he was “Sgt. Bailey from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office," that the man had failed to have his DNA filed for the sex offender registry, and he would need to send money to avoid arrest.

Police said the caller added that the money would need to be sent from a kiosk at a local business. When the Harrison Township man could not find the kiosk, the caller said that the man could pay with gift cards for a discounted rate. The man purchased $3,500 worth of gift cards and provided the gift card numbers to the caller, police said.

On the second report, a 33-year-old man in Macomb Township received a similar call from a man claiming to be calling from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. The telephone number displayed as the Sheriff’s Office general phone number 586- 469-5151, police said, explaining that the scam "ghosts" the department's number.

The caller told the Macomb Township man that he needed to pay $3,000 immediately or he would be arrested and that it could be paid in gift cards. The man obliged and as deputies were on scene taking the information, the scammer reportedly continued to call the home in attempt to gain more money, police said.

How to protect yourself

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office reminds residents that it will not call any member of the public and ask for money or gift cards in lieu of arrest.

If an arrest warrant is issued for a Macomb County Sheriff’s Office Anthony M. Wickersham
citizen and they wish to post a bond, they would need to post that bond at the Bond Office located within the Sheriff's Office at 43565 Elizabeth in Mt. Clemens. Bonds may also be posted at a courthouse. The Bond Office can verify any warrants that a citizen has when they appear in person with a valid ID.

"If you receive a suspicious telephone call from someone you are unfamiliar with, please do your research before providing anyone with your personal information, especially monetary information. Be aware that government agencies do not accept retail gift cards as a form of payment, specifically the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office," authorities said. "We ask that anyone who receives a suspicious communication from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office feel free to come to our Office and speak with someone in person."

These incidents have been turned over to the Macomb County Detective Bureau and are currently being investigated.