Crime & Safety

Oakland County Sheriff Warns of IRS Scam

Man reports fraudulently being ordered to pay hefty sum with prepaid Green Dot money card.

Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard wants to make the public aware of a scam that is occurring in Oakland County related to callers posing as the IRS and as law enforcement, and making demands for money.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, the Farmington Hills Police Department received a complaint from a resident claiming that he received a call Jan. 9 from someone claiming to be the Internal Revenue Service saying he was being charged with crimes unless he paid $3,854 in green dot prepaid money cards.

The resident paid the amount, and then  subsequently received another call from someone claiming to be “Sheriff Bouchard” who advised he owed an additional $4,560, or he would be charged with a crime. At this point, the resident became suspicious and made a report. It is important to note that the caller masked their phone number on caller ID to look like the call was coming from the Sheriff’s Office.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents that neither the Sheriff’s Office nor Sheriff Bouchard would demand money from any resident related to a debt or for any other reason. 

“Any entity asking for payment or money in the form of a prepaid Green Dot money card is suspect,” Bouchard said in a statement. “If you suspect you are being scammed, there is a very good chance you are. Trust your instincts and report suspicious behavior to your local authorities.” 

Anyone having information on this particular case is encouraged to report it to Farmington Hills Police Department at (248) 871-2610. For any other case where the Sheriff or Sheriff's Office has been fraudulently used, please call the Sheriff's Office.


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