OLIVE TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Mar. 23, 2025) – A scourge to law enforcement most everywhere is back in Ottawa County.
On Friday, the Sheriff’s Department sent out a notice, warning residents to be on “high alert” for phone calls from those impersonating deputies or police officers. As has been the case in the past, these calls, from numbers that appear to be legitimate, claim that the intended victim has missed jury duty, are in arrears in fines, or faces possible legal action – claims that are not legitimate. In order to address these matters, the callers ask for personal details, social security numbers, banking information, and look for payment to be made in cryptocurrency, prepaid gift cards, or other means of financial transaction that are difficult to trace or recover.
Sheriff’s Department officials caution that they will never call about jury duty, outstanding fines, or warrant payments, as well as never ask for personal or financial information over the phone. They ask those who receive these call to hang up immediately, and if there are some questions, contact the Sheriff’s Office directly (616-738-4000) or an appropriate court office. In addition, anyone who may have received such calls can also contact Ottawa County Central Dispatch (800-249-0911) to report the incident for further investigation.
Allegan County is not immune to such tactics, with similar precautions for residents, and the phone numbers to report (269-673-3899) and to get answers to questions (269-673-0500).
This notice comes ahead of a scheduled “Civilian Financial Scams Class,” held by Ottawa County Sheriff’s Detective Joe Monger, that is designed to safeguard residents against various types of financial fraud and scams. The next free class in this series, with no preregistration required, is set for Wednesday, March 26, at 10 AM in Holland’s Evergreen Commons (480 State St.).
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