Canton police warn of phone scam

CANTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Canton police are warning the community about a suspected scam artist who is posing as an officer and making calls to residents.

In a statement, the department said it has received several calls from residents this week saying someone claiming to be an officer would have to issue a warrant for their arrest for missing jury duty if the resident did not said a Green Dot pre-paid debit card. The caller is using a 734 area code, and has referenced a judge at the 35th District Court in an attempt to authenticate the conversation.

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The department said it would never request payment of any kind over the phone, or via a pre-paid debit card.
"Most individuals receiving a call like this would probably recognize it as a scam, but some of our more vulnerable community members might not," said Community Relations Officer Patty Esselink. "We encourage everyone to speak with their parents, young adults, and friends about the numerous, on-going scams out there, and to recommend when receiving a questionable call, they contact the agency being represented directly to establish validity of the caller."

Residents who believe they may have been the victim of a scam should contact the Canton Police Department at 734-394-5400.