Police warn residents not to fall for new identity theft scam
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office is warning area residents to be wary of a new identity theft scam.
An advisory message sent out this morning said someone called a Jackson County resident Thursday afternoon on his cell phone. The caller told the resident his wife was in some legal trouble. The caller identified himself as Officer Michaels of the Michigan State Police, the advisory message said.
The caller said there was a warrant for the wife's arrest but it could be addressed over the phone if the resident would give the caller a debit card number, birth date and Social Security number.
The sheriff's department message said state police confirmed they had nothing to do with the call.
"I called the number and asked for Officer Michaels, and I was immediately asked what number I was calling from, and they would not help me unless I provided the number I was calling from. That was a red flag," Lt. James Shaw, with the Jackson Post of the Michigan State police, said in the message.
The sheriff's department message also noted state police discovered Tuesday that someone in the Jackson area had received a fraudulent letter on what appears to be state police letterhead stationery.
"We hold a position of public trust. And when people call and identify themselves as law enforcement officers, they're playing on that trust to obtain information," Shaw said in the message.
Anyone who gets a suspicious call or letter from someone claiming to be a state police officer should contact their local police department.
Comments
debling
Sat, Mar 26, 2011 : 8:01 p.m.
It never ceases to amaze me how gullible people are are. Even the smartest, most educated seem to fall prey to these scams. Why people would ever give out personal information (debit card number, birth date and Social Security number in this case) to a stranger is beyond me. Here is what we have followed for years and it works. Never buy or respond to any solicitation, whether by mail, phone, email or someone that knocks on your door no matter how compelling or serious it sounds. And don't pick up the phone unless you know the number showing up in caller ID. If the call is important, they will leave a message. Then you can follow-up and independently get the facts.
John B.
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.
'As PT Barnum once said, "There's a sucker born every minute".' That's a bit simplistic, to say the least. These scumbags tend to prey on the elderly, who tend to be more trusting of folks in general. This scam is very similar to the "Hi Grandpa, I'm over in Canada and in a little legal trouble. I'm afraid to tell Mom or Dad about this. Can you send me bail money via Western Union?" That one almost got my retired father, who has an MBA, served in the Air Force, and is a pretty sharp cookie.
debling
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.
As PT Barnum once said, "There's a sucker born every minute".
cibachrome
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 4:10 p.m.
Dang, I've been waiting for a call like that! I have some special information for them. Too bad there are not 'special' credit card numbers such that using them would result in a specialized tracing feature so the perpetrators could be located and caught. Whenever you see a 'Private name, Private Number' on your caller ID, prepare yourself for some fun. Tell them you'll have to call them back so get their number. They'll probably give it to you....
DwightSchrute
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 3:37 p.m.
Why would the resident identify himself as Officer Michaels? You mean the caller ID'd himself as Officer Michaels or my reading comprehension stinks.
Cindy Heflin
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
That reference has been corrected.
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
why would officer michaels, msp, be calling me?
Turd Ferguson
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
I dk 'ding. Maybe it's that "thing" you're not supposed to talk about?
RJA
Fri, Mar 25, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
I got this alert, in my e-mail address as well on my cell phone. Thank You, WCSD!