Scammers are on the rise in Macomb County and often will demand payments through Zelle, Cash App, gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or even cash via rideshares. Some of these criminals impersonate Macomb County Sheriff’s Office workers to try to scam people into paying fake jail bonds. The scammers will contact relatives claiming someone has been arrested and is in jail. The callers exploit “caller ID spoofing” to make it appear they’re phoning from the Sheriff’s Office or the Mount Clemens jail and insist the victim must pay right away to get the person out.
Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said his office “will never call you, a family member, or a friend asking for money to secure someone’s release from jail. If you receive a phone call from the Sheriff’s Office demanding payment for a bond or any other jail-related fee, it is a scam. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and contact us directly at 586-469-5151. Real bond payments are transferred directly through the sheriff’s website, in person at the jail, or via a licensed bail bonding agency. A receipt is provided.
Prosecutor Peter Lucido issued the warning, and he launched Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors (SCAMS) to equip seniors, families, guardians, and caregivers with facts about common scams, red flags for financial abuse, and ways to shield themselves and their assets. The prosecutor’s office offers free SCAMS presentations across the county, including telephone town halls, so residents can join from home.
“Older adults are too often singled out by scammers who take advantage of their kindness and attempt to financially exploit them,” said Lucido to The Macomb Daily. “These criminals prey on fear and urgency to convince victims to hand over money before verifying the facts.”
Upcoming in-person SCAMS presentations include:
- July 21 at 6:30 p.m. for a telephone town hall
- July 22 at 2 p.m. at the Macomb Township Marvin Blank Senior Center at 51210 Alma Drive
- July 23 at 2 p.m. at the Romeo Graubner District Library at 65821 Van Dyke Ave. in Washington Township
- Aug. 27 at 1:30 p.m. at the Warren Community Center at 5460 Arden Ave.
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