Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging residents to be vigilant against a new impersonation scam targeting consumers. The scam involves individuals posing as representatives offering “free government money from the CARES Act,” claiming the funds are expiring soon in an effort to steal personal information.
“Unfortunately, we now live in a world where consumers always have to be on alert,” Nessel said. “Scammers are constantly devising new tricks to steal personal information. It’s crucial to be aware of these scams and avoid offers that seem too good to be true. My department remains committed to protecting Michigan residents from these bad actors.”
As a result, the attorney general is reissuing her Government Imposter Scams alert and advising consumers who have received communications from imposters to protect themselves from these scams by:
• Blocking the text, email, or call.
• Not clicking links or opening attachments.
• Reporting the text or email to the Federal Trade Commission and Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team.
• Deleting the text or email from their device.
Nessel also reminds consumers that government agencies will not:
• Promise to increase benefits or fix an issue if a fee is paid.
• Offer free money or grants.
• Threaten arrest or legal action unless money is sent immediately.
• Demand payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency, or cash sent by mail.
To file a complaint with the attorney general, 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 at https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx
“Unfortunately, we now live in a world where consumers always have to be on alert,” Nessel said. “Scammers are constantly devising new tricks to steal personal information. It’s crucial to be aware of these scams and avoid offers that seem too good to be true. My department remains committed to protecting Michigan residents from these bad actors.”
As a result, the attorney general is reissuing her Government Imposter Scams alert and advising consumers who have received communications from imposters to protect themselves from these scams by:
• Blocking the text, email, or call.
• Not clicking links or opening attachments.
• Reporting the text or email to the Federal Trade Commission and Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team.
• Deleting the text or email from their device.
Nessel also reminds consumers that government agencies will not:
• Promise to increase benefits or fix an issue if a fee is paid.
• Offer free money or grants.
• Threaten arrest or legal action unless money is sent immediately.
• Demand payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency, or cash sent by mail.
To file a complaint with the attorney general, 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 at https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx
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