Jury Duty, IRS Scams Making the Rounds Again

OAKLAND, MI – On closer inspection, it turned out there is no “Captain Watson” and there is no “warrants and citations division” at the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. And even if there were a Captain Watson and such a division, the police officer wouldn’t make harassing phone calls trying to collect money for missing jury duty.

But that’s the story a Springfield Township resident was told about 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said. The resident was rightly suspicious and reported the call to the sheriff’s office.

The jury scam is making the rounds again, the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

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Residents have reported receiving calls from the phony warrants and citations division, as well as calls supposedly from the Oakland County 6th Circuit Court. Scammers claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service are also threatening residents with arrest if they don’t pay taxes they supposedly owe.

“No law enforcement agency or court make intimidating phone calls and demand money from citizens,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard said in a news release. “We ask everyone to be vigilant and to trust your instincts if you receive these type of calls. These phone calls unfortunately target innocent individuals and these scam artists use legitimate names to try and cheat people out of money.”

Chief Circuit Court Judge Nanci J. Grant added: “The Circuit Court does not call residents and threaten them to pay fines for not reporting to jury duty. In these cases, the individuals were not even serving jury duty at the time. Please report these incidents immediately to your local law enforcement agency.”

Questions regarding jury duty service can be directed to the Oakland County Jury Office at (248) 858-0029.

» Photo by jonjon2K8 via Flickr / Creative Commons