The Michigan State Police (MSP) Wayland Post and Fifth District Regional Dispatch fielded numerous complaints on Wednesday, March 22, from Michigan residents who reported receiving “spoof” phone calls using the Wayland post telephone number: 269-792-2213. Several complaints came into the Wayland post which covers Allegan and Barry County. 

 

The suspect callers are informing residents that they either have warrants or are being investigated by the MSP. To avoid being arrested, residents are being asked for money in various forms of payment.

 

MSP is reminding the public that although their agency may contact you via telephone regarding an investigation, warrant, or other official business, they will always identify ourselves by our rank and name. They will also provide a badge number upon request. Additionally, while the MSP may advise a resident over the phone about a warrant for their arrest and a bond amount, they will never ask for you to send money.

All bond payments take place in-person with a uniformed member at the post, on the road, or with court personnel at the applicable court. You will never be asked to send payment in the form of gift cards or a third-party money transfer service such as PayPal, Venmo, Western Union, MoneyGram, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Cash App.

Complaints received this week regarding similar spoof calls have been reported in the Berrien, Oakland, and Wexford County.

 

If a caller is contacting you from what appears to be an MSP phone line and is either asking for money to be sent, personal information such as a social security number, or otherwise appears suspicious, please end the call, and notify your local MSP post.