Crime & Safety
Washtenaw County, MI Scam Warning: AI Used to Target Residents
Washtenaw County, MI – Residents are being warned about an increase in phone, email and text scams in which criminals allegedly impersonate sheriff's office employees and use artificial intelligence t
By Paige Sullivan · 2026-09-24T19:48:18.480Z
Washtenaw County, MI – Residents are being warned about an increase in phone, email and text scams in which criminals allegedly impersonate sheriff's office employees and use artificial intelligence to make their messages appear convincing.
According to the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office , the agency continues to receive increased reports of scams targeting communities across the county. Officials said scammers may use AI and other technology along with current information to make fraudulent communications look legitimate and trustworthy.
Authorities said the scammers commonly demand money, gift cards or other forms of payment. In some cases, victims or people they know are allegedly threatened with arrest, incarceration, detention or other penalties if they refuse to comply.
The sheriff's office emphasized that it will not demand money, gift cards or financial compensation for an individual employee or the agency.
Officials are encouraging residents to stop and independently verify electronic communications claiming to come from sheriff's office personnel before providing information or making payments.
Anyone who receives a suspicious message should not provide personal or financial information to the sender, authorities said.
Residents who want to verify whether a communication actually came from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office can contact Metro Dispatch at 734 994 2911 . Emergencies should be reported through 911.
The warning comes as advances in AI can make fraudulent communications more convincing, increasing the importance of independently confirming unexpected requests for money or sensitive information.
Authorities are urging residents to share the warning with family members and others who could be targeted.