The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office released an alert Tuesday detailing a new phone and email scam being sent to county residents. According to the alert, the scam impersonates a Sheriff’s Office employee asking for personal donations or gifts to be sent.
“The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office has recently received an increased number of Email and Phone SCAMS within our communities,” the alert said. “The subject of the SCAM begins with saying they are employed by the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and may use a current employee’s name and/or email address. The scam then requires the receiver to send money, purchase gift cards or otherwise give financial support to the ‘scammer’.”
The post warned against complying with the requests of the scam, and said the Sheriff would and will not ask for personal donations at any time.
“The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Does Not and Will Not ask for money to be given specifically to an individual employee,” the post said. “Please verify all phone and email communications purportedly from the Sheriff’s Office through the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Metro Dispatch; 734-994-2911 or 911. Please do not provide any personal or financial information to these scammers.”
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office did not respond for comment in time for publication.
This is a developing story. Check back at michigandaily.com for more details.