PHONE SCAM

Many Metro Detroit residents are receiving calls from people pretending to work for DTE Energy, threatening to shut off services.

Canton Township police are warning residents about a new phone scam where the caller pretends to be one of their police officers. On Monday (March 1), a resident called to report the exchange after handing over more than $12,000.

Royal Oak police are making the public aware of a man posing as an officer and scamming people over the phone.

A Bloomfield Township woman was scammed out of $21,000 when someone pretending to be from the police department called and threatened that she would be guilty of committing a crime if she didn’t pay.

A Downriver man’s checking account was completely wiped out after a phone call with who he thought was a representative of his credit union.

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of scammers posing as lieutenants or other officers in an attempt to collect money, even threatening to arrest people if they do not pay.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Treasury issued a warning Tuesday that Michigan residents are receiving text messages regarding unclaimed property that is likely a scam. The department says multiple individuals have reported receiving text messages from an unknown source that offer to reunite the individual with their “unclaimed property.” These messages typically come with a link that the recipient is asked to click to claim their property. Michigan residents are urged not to interact with or respond to the text messages, as they are not affiliated with the state treasury. Unclaimed property such as assets in dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, valuables left in safe deposit boxes and certificates are turned over to the state treasury by law once they are considered abandoned and unclaimed, officials said. Anyone concerned that they have unclaimed property can visit the state’s website here or call 517-636-5320 between 9 a.m.-noon on Monday and Friday or 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a phone scammer targeting the area. Officials say there have been multiple recent reports of a caller posing as a member of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office requesting money from residents in lieu of being arrested. The sheriff’s office says the phone calls are not legitimate and warns residents from giving away personal information or meeting up with the caller. Anyone who receives a scam call and is concerned is encouraged to visit the sheriff’s office to verify any arrest warrants in their name. Officials say the Macomb County Detective Bureau is investigating the scam phone calls.

MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – During the past week the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office has taken two reports where citizens have been scammed out of thousands of dollars. Both citizens reported that they received telephone calls from an individual claiming to work for the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. On Feb. 7, a 33-year-old man from Macomb Township received a call from a male who indicated he was calling from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. The caller was also able to ghost the Sheriff’s Office telephone number, meaning that the phone number displayed as a Sheriff’s Office phone number. The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office will not call any member of the public and ask for money or gift cards in lieu of arrest.

Phone scammers are targeting seniors, threatening to shut off their gas or power unless paid, often demanding payments in gift cards or Bitcoin. People are advised to use caution as these scammers are using public utility companies as their caller ID. Remember, companies do not call customers demanding payment and do not accept payments in the form of gift cards or Bitcoin. For more information from the state of Michigan, go here. Watch above for more information.

Reminder: Companies do not call customers demanding paymentIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

The IRS will not make phone calls like this. Here’s what you need to know.

The IRS will not make phone calls like this. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.