AG Nessel Advises Recent High School Grads on How to Avoid Scams

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging recent high school graduates to educate themselves on how to spot common scams to avoid becoming a victim. The Attorney General is reissuing consumer alerts highlighting common tactics fraudsters use to target young adults.

“Graduating from high school is a monumental milestone, but it also marks a time of major transitions that bad actors want to exploit,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Young people are by no means immune to scams. Being aware of common tactics can go a long way in protecting your identity and your hard-earned money as you embark on your next chapter.”

Work From Home and Employment Scams

As graduates step into the next phase of life, they may begin job searching. Most job searchers go online and post their resumes on job search sites or social media apps. Unfortunately, both legitimate employers and scammers also post job openings on these platforms.

Watch for some of these red flags:

• You receive an unsolicited request for an immediate interview.
• Poor spelling or grammar in a job offer email.
• The email comes from a personal email account rather than a business account.
• Offers a salary that is higher than normal for that position.
• There are up-front money requests for things like start-up equipment or background checks.
• A job is offered without verifying work experience or asking for references.

Rental Listing Scams

Moving away from home is a big rite of passage for many graduating seniors. When searching for a place to rent, it is important to rely on reputable websites that not only provide a detailed listing and photos but also contact information for the landlord.

Once you think you've found the property that's right for you, there are signs of scammers to watch out for:

• You're asked to wire money or pay in gift cards or cryptocurrency.
• You're asked to provide a security deposit or first month's rent before touring or signing a lease.
• You find the listing under different names.
• You learn the landlord is unexpectedly out of town or unavailable and will be using someone else to finalize a lease.

If you can't meet in person, tour the property, and sign a lease before you pay, keep looking.

Before Buying a Used Car

Buying a vehicle is often an important step in adulthood. Before signing an agreement to purchase a used vehicle, you should:

• Examine the vehicle using an inspection checklist.
• Find out if the vehicle was involved in an accident or incurred other damage.
• Ask for maintenance records.
• Ask specific questions about the car. What is the gas mileage? How many previous owners?
• Check online reviews for the specific vehicle’s year, make, and model.
• Check for open recalls on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
• Drive the car in different conditions. Take it on hills, highways, and stop-and-go traffic.
• Determine the value of the vehicle with Kelly Blue Book before you negotiate.
• Run a CarFax Vehicle History Report. A vehicle history report may list accidents and flood damage, but typically it will not list mechanical problems.
• Take it to a local mechanic for an independent inspection. You’ll have to pay an inspection fee, but it can help you avoid buying a car with mechanical problems.
• Find out if the vehicle comes with a warranty. It may come with a full, limited, or no warranty at all. Get a written copy of all warranty documents.
• Ask if the dealer offers a service contract. These cost extra. Be sure to read the service contract carefully for specifics on what’s covered and how much it costs. Also read the Attorney General’s alert on Auto Extended Warranties.
• Look for any add-on charges in the cost to purchase. Add-ons are optional products and services offered by the dealer, like Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etching, and rustproofing. Often, add-ons can cost hundreds of dollars and are mentioned only at the end of the transaction. Other times, dealers may try to include them in your deal without your knowledge or approval. You can usually buy the vehicle you want without any add-ons.
• Read the terms of the purchase agreement or contract before signing documents. Get all promises in writing. Never buy a vehicle on oral promises of repairs being made after delivery.

It is important to take your time when buying a used car. Do not let a salesperson pressure or rush you. You have the right to shop around and compare when purchasing a used vehicle. Signing the paperwork to take ownership enters you into a legally binding contract with the dealer and you are bound by the contract terms.

Phishing Scams

Phishing is a cyberattack where a criminal poses as a trusted person/organization to trick potential victims into sharing sensitive data or sending money. Phishing attempts happen both by email and text and target everyone, including recent graduates. These emails and texts use believable stories or connections to coerce the recipient into action. The goal is to obtain financial or personal information to commit fraud.

Signs of phishing can include when:

• Urgent action is required.
• It is unsolicited.
• It contains poor grammar and spelling mistakes.
• The text sender has a phone number of 10 or more digits.
• It requests login credentials, payment information, or sensitive data.

You should neither reply to suspicious emails or texts nor click on links or attachments. Your spam filter and spam-blocking tools can keep most phishing emails and texts out of your inbox and off of your devices.

If you have a consumer complaint, or believe you've been the victim of a scam, please file a complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team at:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form