The Michigan Department of Attorney General (DAG) works tirelessly to protect and serve the people of Michigan. The DAG handles a wide range of legal matters from civil and criminal cases, to providing legal counsel to state agencies and officers, to advocating for crime victims.
The Michigan Department of Attorney General utilizes the services of Special Assistant Attorneys General from time to time when the unique circumstances of a particular case create the need for specialized services not currently available within the department.
The Michigan Attorney General has determined that a full and complete investigation of what happened within the Catholic Church is required. This investigation is and will continue to be independent, thorough, transparent, and prompt. My department and this investigation will find out who knew what, and when.
The Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) reviews cases where someone is saying they did not commit the crime(s) of which they were convicted. There must be new evidence that shows they did not commit the crime. This new evidence must rise to the legal standard of "clear and convincing" evidence of innocence.
In Michigan, a victim is an individual who suffers direct or threatened physical, financial, or emotional harm as a result of the commission of a crime.
Elder abuse happens when someone hurts, ignores, or takes advantage of an older adult. This may be someone who is of advanced age or is vulnerable and unable to protect themselves due to a mental or physical issues.
An expungement removes a conviction from public view. Most employers, landlords, and background checks will not see it. Law enforcement and some licensing agencies may still access it. This page will help explain who qualifies, how the process works, and where to get help.
To investigate and prosecute hate crimes by following up on every credible tip and offer departmental resources to assist local and federal law enforcement partners in this effort.
The Michigan Attorney General is leading the fight against this horrific crime by prosecuting the state's first-ever criminal cases under state law banning human trafficking in Michigan. Victims of human trafficking are in bondage through force, fraud or coercion, for the purpose of sex or labor exploitation.
Knowing how to guard your personal information is your first line of defense against identity theft.
Michigan workers enjoy a wide variety of legal protections regarding issues at work. There are a number of state and federal statutes that protect their wages, safety, and well-being.
Opioid addiction knows no social or economic barriers; it doesn’t care about race or gender. It claims young and old alike. The Michigan Department of Attorney General is committed to fighting this crisis.
Michigan Attorney General's robocall initiative is leading several efforts to protect Michigan residents from the billion plus robocalls made to them every year.
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq, provides that requesters can receive copies or make inspections of most public records of public bodies upon written request.
The Open Meetings Act (OMA) took effect January 1, 1977. In enacting the OMA, the Legislature promoted a new era in governmental accountability and fostered openness in government to enhance responsible decision making.1 Nothing in the OMA prohibits a public body from adopting an ordinance, resolution, rule, or charter provision that requires a greater degree of openness relative to public body meetings than the standards provided for in the OMA. 2
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July 02, 2026
LANSING – As Michigan families hit the road for the holiday weekend, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her consumer alert on fraudulent text messages. These scams, which falsely claim recipients have unpaid tolls or outstanding tickets, are increasingly conning young adults by exploiting a false sense of urgency.
Over the past year, the Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team has received hundreds of complaints of fraudulent texts. Common versions of a toll or ticket scam include fake court notices, impersonations of government agencies, or fraudulent messages from private toll companies.
“Growing up in the digital age, scammers find that fraudulent text messages are an incredibly effective way to trick young people out of their hard-earned money,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Many haven’t dealt with fraudsters before, so their first instinct may be to panic-respond to a message threatening to take their license, and out of embarrassment, they keep the experience to themselves. When in doubt, delete the text, check with the agency directly, and never let one of these messages rush you into handing over your personal information.”
Recently, scam messages have included an image claiming to be a “Notice of Civil Infraction Hearing.” The notice (PNG) falsely claims to be from a district court. The message falsely warns that recipients must appear in person for a hearing or admit responsibility and pay a penalty before the hearing date. The scam also includes a QR code that leads to a deceptive website.
Other variations of the scam texts claim to be from government agencies (PNG), such as the Michigan Department of Transportation or Secretary of State, or private companies (PNG) like SunPass or E-ZPass. These fraudulent messages may demand immediate payment for unpaid tolls or fines. They also include fake links made to appear official.
Government agencies will not text residents to demand money. They will mail them a notice and offer payment options. They will not ask for or take payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
Consumers may have received a fake toll scam text if it:
Consumers should not reply to these texts or click on links or attachments. Instead, they should use built-in spam-blocking tools on their mobile devices. Consumers can report smishing texts by forwarding them to SPAM (7726) and by sending the texts to the Federal Trade Commission.
To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:
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
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