LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) has issued a warning to the public after multiple residents reported receiving fraudulent text messages claiming they had missed jury duty and needed to pay a fine. The scam messages direct recipients to click on a link or visit a kiosk to make a payment, threatening severe penalties for non-compliance.
In some cases, the messages appear to be from the ELPD, with the phone number (517) 351-4220 being spoofed to make them seem legitimate. However, the police department has confirmed that they do not contact residents about jury duty matters, and neither they nor the 54B District Court sends text messages regarding jury duty fines.
The scam is part of a larger trend of fraudulent messages circulating in the area, with some residents also reporting threats about unpaid toll road violations. Michigan, however, does not have toll roads, adding another layer of suspicion to these messages.
ELPD officials are urging residents to be cautious and avoid clicking on any links or sharing personal information in response to unsolicited messages. Scammers often use these tactics to steal sensitive information, including credit card details or Social Security numbers.
The police department provided the following tips to help protect against these types of scams:
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Do not click on suspicious links received via text or email.
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Avoid calling numbers listed in unsolicited messages.
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Verify contact information by searching for official phone numbers and reaching out directly to the organization that allegedly sent the message.
As scammers continue to find new ways to deceive unsuspecting residents, the ELPD is urging everyone to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.
