Beware of scammers impersonating state agencies for money
Michigan officials are again warning about scammers posing as state agencies to get people to make immediate payments.
One recent scam has an official-looking letter that demands the recipient immediately contact a toll-free number to resolve their outstanding state tax debt. The letter threatens to seize the taxpayer’s assets — including property, bank accounts and income — if the state tax debt isn’t settled.
The piece of correspondence, according to a state press release, appeared credible because it used specific personal facts about the recipient’s real outstanding tax debt that was taken directly from publicly available information. The scammer’s letter attempts to lure the taxpayer into a situation where they could make a payment to a criminal, state officials advise.
Those who receive this type of letter or have questions about their state debts can call Treasury’s Collections Service Center at 517-636-5265 for more information.
In another scam, fraudsters are impersonating the Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel advises.
Specifically, the scammers use spoofing technology to have the recipient’s caller ID identify the caller as the “Consumer Protection Division” while using a real phone number connected with the department. The scammers falsely claim the recipient’s information has been “flagged” with credit agencies and their credit cards and banking accounts will soon be shut down if they don’t make an immediate payment, according to a news release.
The Department of Attorney General will never call to demand money or ask for consumers to pay a fee to resolve a “flagged account,” the news release states. The department does not shut down accounts or negotiate credit card debt over the phone.
Nessel cautions consumers to never give out personal or financial information to unsolicited callers.
“This scam is alarming and designed to manipulate consumers into making hasty, costly decisions,” Nessel said. “… If you think you’ve received a scam call from the Department of Attorney General, please hang up and contact us directly.”
To report a scam, file a complaint, or get additional information, contact the Consumer Protection Team by mail at P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909; by phone at 517-335-7599 or toll-free at 877-765-8388; by fax at 517-241-3771; or by using the online complaint form at https://www.michigan.gov/consumerprotection/complaints.