MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (WWJ) -- The Macomb County Sheriff's Office is warning the public of a scam being run by someone claiming to be with their department and asking for money over the phone.
The warning comes after two men say they fell victim to the scam last week and it cost them each thousands of dollars.
The sheriff's office says one man, a 63-year-old from Harrison Township, got a call from a man stating he was "Sgt. Bailey from the Macomb County Sheriff's Office" on Feb. 4. The caller then told the victim he had failed to have his DNA filed for the sex offender registry and would need to send money to avoid arrest.
The scammer told the man the money would need to be sent from a kiosk at a local business. When the victim told the caller he could not find the kiosk, the caller told him he could pay with gift cards for a discounted rate.
The Harrison Township man, whose identity was not released, purchased $3,500 worth of gift cards and provided the gift card numbers to the caller.
Three days later, a 33-year-old Macomb Township man reported a similar incident. This victim said he received a call from someone who claimed to be with the Macomb County Sheriff's Office and his caller ID showed it was a call from the office's general phone number, 548-469-5151.
The caller advised the victim that he needed to pay $3,000 to avoid being arrested and stated that amount could be paid in gift cards.
The victim then contacted police and as deputies were on the scene taking information from him, the same caller continued to call the home in an attempt to gain more money.
Officials with the sheriff's office say the caller was able to "ghost" the phone number and get it to show up as a call from their office.
"Be advised that this is a hack and the caller is not inside the Sheriff's Office," officials said in a press release.
The sheriff's office says it will not ever call any member of the public and ask for money or gift cards in lieu of arrest. If an arrest warrant is issued and the citizen wishes to post bond, they would need to do so at the bond office located within the sheriff's office at 43565 Elizabeth Road in Mt. Clemens. Bonds may also be posted at a courthouse.
Authorities are telling the public if you receive a suspicious telephone call from someone you are unfamiliar with, please do your research before providing anyone with your personal information, especially monetary information. Be aware that government agencies do not accept retail gift cards as a form of payment, specifically the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.
"We ask that anyone who receives a suspicious communication from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office feel free to come to our Office and speak with someone in person," officials said.
The incidents are being investigated by the Macomb County Detective Bureau.