Sheriff department warns of phone scam

Sheriff departments in Cass and Berrien counties are cautioning residents about a phone scam.

Agency officials said the caller identifies himself as Lt. Justin O’Brien. The suspect indicates to the potential victim they missed a jury-duty assignment and, as a result, there is a warrant out for their arrest.

The scammer then alleges the matter can be resolved by making a payment over the phone.

Cass County Sheriff Richard Behnke said the agency on June 20 fielded a number of calls from would-be victims who said they were contacted by the scammer within the previous 24 hours.

Caller ID shows the calls coming from a 269 area code, which might make some people think the claim is legitimate.