Imposter Scams

The Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team will never call you to say you won $8 million or that they are trying to deliver prize money to you. Don’t be fooled. It is not us. It’s a scammer trying to steal your personal information.

Scammers often pretend to be people, government agencies, or businesses you trust, including:

• Your bank or credit union;
• Your utility or phone company;
• Law enforcement;
• Government agencies;
• Family members;
• A Sweepstakes official; or
• Celebrities.

Sometimes a scammer will also pretend to be:

• A debt collector;
• Someone who accidentally texts you and now just wants to chat; or 
• A potential romantic partner.

Even if a caller knows personal details about you, do not give them any information and do not send them money. Scammers may call from spoofed numbers to make the caller ID look like the call is really from a trusted person or organization. To protect yourself:

• Hang up if someone calls about an urgent issue. Then, call the person or organization back using a trusted number you know is real. 
• Don’t click a link or open attachments from an untrusted source.
• Remember that government agencies and organizations do not force you to pay in cryptocurrency or gift cards.

If you have a general consumer complaint, you may 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