Ionia, MI – The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a new phone scam involving a caller posing as “Sergeant Peters,” falsely claiming people missed a court date and must pay fines immediately.
According to the sheriff’s office, multiple residents have reported receiving calls from someone identifying as a law enforcement officer. The scammer allegedly tells victims they failed to appear in court and must pay a fee or risk arrest. Eventually, the caller demands payment over the phone — a red flag the department says should be ignored.
“Law enforcement does not take any form of payment over the phone, ever,” the sheriff’s office emphasized in a statement. Officials added that if a person truly has a warrant, they might receive a letter or a legitimate call — but never a demand for money.
Residents who receive such calls are urged not to provide personal information or payment details. Instead, they should hang up and contact the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office or local courts directly to verify any claims.
The department reminds the public to stay cautious and report suspicious calls immediately.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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