DeWitt Township Police Issue Warning After Costly Computer Scam

If you live in DeWitt Township or anywhere around Mid-Michigan, this is the kind of scam you're going to want to watch out for.

Police Warning About New Scam in DeWitt Township

Police in DeWitt Township are warning residents about a new computer pop-up scam after a local victim ended up losing thousands of dollars.

According to the DeWitt Township Police Department, it started with something that looked like a Microsoft security alert popping up on the victim's computer. The message claimed there was a problem with the computer and instructed the person to call a phone number for help.

How the Computer Pop-Up Scam Works

That is where the scam actually begins.

After the victim called the number, the scammers were able to gain their trust and convince them that their money wasn't safe. From there, things escalated quickly. The victim was talked into buying gold from a local coin shop and then handing that gold over to the scammers when they came to pick it up.

How Scammers Convinced the Victim to Hand Over Gold

Police say the scammers even convinced the victim not to tell anyone about the transaction, which is a common tactic used to keep people from realizing they're being targeted.

Situations like this are exactly why officers are warning the public about this scam.

What Police Say You Should Do If You See This

If you ever receive a message claiming there's a problem with your computer or that your money isn't safe, police say the safest thing you can do is hang up immediately. Then contact your bank or call 911 if something feels suspicious.

These scams are getting more sophisticated, so verification is always important.