WASHTENAW COUNTY - The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office is warning residents to remain vigilant against fraudulent communications after receiving increased reports of scam calls, emails and texts claiming to be from sheriff's office employees.

In a news release published Monday, Commander Eugene Rush said the scammers are coercing victims into sending them money by threatening incarceration, arrest, detention or other penalties if they don't comply. They also are using artificial intelligence and other technology to impersonate sheriff's office employees, making them seem legitimate and trustworthy.

 The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office DOES NOT AND WILL NOT ask for money, gift cards or financial compensation to be given specifically to ANY individual employee or to the Office in general,  Rush said in the release.

He also reminded individuals to  stop, think, check and verify  all electronic communications claiming to originate from the sheriff's office by calling the Metro Dispatch Center at 734-994-2911 or by dialing 9-1-1.

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