Ottawa County, MI – Residents across Ottawa County and the greater West Michigan area are being warned about a new phone scam making the rounds today, targeting people with threats of missed jury duty and fake arrest warrants.
According to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, scammers are impersonating a deputy using the name “David Jenkins,” falsely claiming victims failed to appear for jury duty and now face an active warrant. Callers allegedly demand immediate payment — often through Bitcoin or account transfers — to “clear” the warrant.
Authorities stress this is 100% a scam.
The Sheriff’s Office says it will never demand money over the phone, will never request payment via cryptocurrency, and does not handle jury duty matters this way. Any call claiming otherwise should be treated as fraudulent.
Officials urge residents to hang up immediately if they receive a call like this and not share any personal or financial information. Anyone unsure about a call’s legitimacy is advised to independently verify by contacting official county phone numbers — not numbers provided by the caller.
The scam has raised concern due to its realistic tone and use of law enforcement language, which can pressure victims into acting quickly out of fear. Authorities say these tactics are commonly used to exploit older adults and busy working residents.
Anyone who believes they may have been contacted by scammers or has already provided information is encouraged to report the incident to the Silent Observer tip line at (877) 88-SILENT (74536) or through the Ottawa County Central Dispatch website.
Officials also ask residents to share the warning with family members, friends, and neighbors to help prevent further victimization.
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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