Consumer Protection
Unemployment Identity Theft
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has reported that imposters are actively attempting to file false claims to receive benefits during the COVID-19 crisis by using personal information that doesn't belong to them.
If you are concerned that you might be a victim of identity theft,
Scam Alert of the Day
URGENT
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert today telling Michigan residents, particularly college and other nonprofit donors, to beware of fraudulent emails and phone calls seeking personal information or suspicious donation requests.
The alert follows a ransomware attack on Blackbaud, a major provider of software services used by nonprofits in fundraising that resulted in the acquisition of donor information by a cybercriminal. Blackbaud customers include colleges, hospitals, churches and various other types of nonprofits throughout the U.S., including in Michigan.
Blackbaud notified affected customers using its services of the security breach, leaving it to those nonprofits to provide any notice to impacted individuals. The breach was reported by Blackbaud in mid-July.
Consumer Protection
The Consumer Protection team helps protect Michigan residents from bad actors who have one primary goal: to trick us out of our hard-earned money. As technology advances, they get more creative with their approach. They prey on anyone vulnerable - especially seniors.
Consumer Protection handles 10,000 consumer complaints each year, provides numerous educational resources online, and issues consumer alerts on scams, data breaches and any other consumer-related issue our residents should be aware of.
My Office of Public Information and Education and the Consumer Protection team is also instrumental in leading our initiative to crack down on the overwhelming amount of robocalls we all receive each day, and with an estimated 1.5 billion calls to Michigan residents in 2019 – that support is necessary.
Michigan Consumer Protection Act
- applies to goods and services leased or purchased for personal, family and household purposes (e.g., gym memberships, companies hired to plow your driveway or non-food purchases made at a local store or online);
- prohibits price gouging, failing to reveal facts material to a sale, misrepresenting the source or geographic origin of goods or services, and many other unfair and deceptive business practices; and
- gives the Attorney General the power to investigate and the authority to sue.
The Act does not:
- apply to services provided under a professional license such as medical services provided by your doctor or renovations done by a licensed builder.
- apply to public utilities like electricity and natural gas, but does apply to propane used for home heating since it's not considered a utility under Michigan law.
Consumer Complaints
We are currently experiencing a high volume of complaints, we are asking for your patience as we navigate through this unprecedented time.
We thank you in advance for your understanding.
The Attorney General’s office helps consumers by informally mediating complaints. In many cases, this assistance will help you resolve your problem.
When we receive your complaint, we will send you a confirmation receipt with your assigned Attorney General file number. We receive thousands of complaints, so it may take a few weeks until your complaint is fully processed.
Our process includes a letter from our Consumer Protection team to the business or individual identified in your complaint. A copy of your complaint and submitted materials will be included with a request for a response. We will contact you in writing after we have received a reply. If we do not hear back from the business or individual identified in your complaint within 30 days, we will recontact them regarding your complaint.
In some cases, we may be unable to get any cooperation from the business or individual. If they refuse to respond, we will confirm this to you in writing. If our mediation is not successful, the Attorney General cannot act as a private attorney on your behalf. You may then want to consider filing suit in Small Claims Court or consulting with a private attorney to review your legal options.
Educate and Protect Yourself
Scammers have one goal: to get your personal -- especially financial -- information. Scams will always include one or more of the following tactics:
- Urgent or secret requests;
- Believable stories or connections
- Emotional appeal
- Financial requests
- Unusual payment type (wire transfer, cash reload card, gift card)
Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Scams in the News
Coronavirus
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) warned Michigan residents to watch for scams related to the coronavirus disease 2019. These scams include websites selling fake products, and fabricated emails, texts and social media posts used to steal money and personal information.
The emails and posts may be promoting awareness and prevention tips along with phony information about cases in residents’ neighborhoods. They may also ask for donations to victims, provide advice on unproven treatments or contain damaging attachments.
For accurate, up-to-date information, visit the CDC’s website or the MDHHS’ webpage.”
Scam Warning Signs
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus;
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations;
- Price gouging of supplies related to the coronavirus such as: masks, disinfectants and other cleaning supplies;
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know; and
- Be alert to “investment opportunities.”
Tax Scams
When someone uses your Social Security number (SSN) to file a phony tax return and claim your refund, that’s tax-related identity theft. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is often the first to let you know your identity has been stolen. In other cases, you may first learn of the fraud from some other unexpected source, like when you are turned down for a loan because a fake return was filed reporting an income less than what you actually earn.
Scam Warning Signs
- get a letter from the IRS about a suspicious tax return that you did not file;
- can’t electronically file your tax return because a return has already been filed using your SSN;
- get a tax transcript in the mail that you did not request;
- get an IRS notice that an online account has been created in your name;
- get an IRS notice that your online account has been accessed or disabled when you took no action; or
- get an IRS notice that you owe additional tax or refund offset, or a collection action has been taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do I report a suspicious or fraudulent telemarketer?
- I have a complaint about a consumer product I recently bought from a business. Who should I contact about my problem?
- Is there a lemon law on used cars?
- Where do I complain about Auto Repairs?
- Where can I obtain information or complaint record about a specific business?
- I keep getting unwanted telephone solicitors calling my home, what can I do about it?
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