This New West Michigan Phone Scam Is Spoofing Real Police Numbers to Steal Thousands

Man, I really hate writing about people in West Michigan getting scammed, but there are some jerks out there are trying to steal your hard-earned money.

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If you live in West Michigan, you need to look out for a new phone scam that's going around right now.

The Battle Creek Police Department just put out a scam warning after people in the area have already been scammed out of more than $20,000 by these crooks.

Here is what police say is happening, and what you need to look out for so you don't get ripped off too.

How The Scam Works

The scammers call people up and pretend to be deputies from the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office.

When these scammers call, they try to scare the crap out of you.

They will telling you that you owe money right this second for something like missing jury duty, an expired ticket, or an outstanding warrant for your arrest.

They try to make it sound super urgent to get you into a panic so you react fast without thinking.

Then, they tell you that you have to pay them immediately over the phone or go to a Bitcoin machine.

Reading this now it might seem impossible that you too would fall for this scam, but when it's actually happening in the moment that pressure, and sense of urgency can make it easy for the victims to get scammed.

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Why People Are Falling For It

These scammers are able to spoof the caller ID so it shows up as a real law enforcement phone number.

Some of them are even using the names of real deputies who actually work there just to sound official.

If you think it's real and send them money through a Bitcoin machine or buy them gift cards, that money is most likely gone forever because it's almost impossible to track down or get back once you send it.

What You Should Do If They Call You

The Battle Creek Police say your absolute best defense is to just hang up the phone.

If someone calls claiming to be a deputy, do not give them any info.

Instead, get their name and tell them you'll call them right back through the dispatch center.

Do not call back any phone number they try to give you.

Instead, hang up and call the actual non-emergency line directly at 269-781-0911 to see if the call was real.

You can also look up Calhoun County court resources online to see if you actually owe anything.

A real cop will never get mad at you for hanging up to double-check their identity so don't let these scammers fool you.

Keep an eye out, tell your parents and older neighbors about this, so we can keep your hard earned money where it belongs, with you.

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