Police Warn Of Phony Cop Phone Scam Targeting 734 Area Code

CANTON (WWJ) - Canton police put out a warning about a police impersonator.

A man, police say, is calling local residents saying they missed jury duty.

He goes on to claim he is a Canton police officer and there will be a warrant out for their arrest if they don't send him money on a pre-paid debit card.

Police said the phony cop, who is calling numbers within the 734 area code, tries to make the call sound authentic by naming a judge at 35th District Court.

Calls have been made over the past two days.

So far, police said, no one has fallen victim to the scam.

"Most individuals receiving a call like this would probably recognize it as a scam, but some of our more
vulnerable community members might not," said Community Relations Officer Patty Esselink.

"We encourage everyone to speak with their parents, young adults, and friends about the numerous, on-going scams out there, and to recommend when receiving a questionable call, they contact the agency being represented directly to establish validity of the caller," she said.

Those who believe they may have been targeted by this scammer are urged to call Canton police at 734-394-5400