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Well, here we go again. Local police are reporting yet another scam to get at people's money by what passes for modern-day digital bunco artists.
According to the Michigan State Police, this latest swindle involves individuals posing as state police personnel. Scammers reportedly are calling individuals, falsely claiming the person called has missed a court date or committed some type of violation. The caller then demands payment be immediately paid, or the person will face arrest.
The callers use this tactic to create a sense of urgency and panic, attempting to pressure individuals to provide payment or personal information, he said. MSP wants to make it clear that this is a scam.
"MSP will never call individuals to request sensitive personal information or ask for financial payments to be made directly to MSP personnel," said MSP Lt. Ben Eckola, Eighth District public information officer. "Other signs of an obvious scam are if the caller or message is asking for payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, sending cash in the mail, or a pay app."
Eckola said when necessary, MSP will make in-person contact with individuals for official matters, including investigations or other law enforcement related matters. But to demand cash? No.
Residents are urged not to share any sensitive information, addresses, family or friends’ information, Social Security numbers or banking details over the phone with unknown callers, he added.
Good advice, from where we're sitting. Be safe, be smart and just hang up.