In response to allegations of deceptive practices following severe weather events, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has taken legal action against a consortium of tree service companies, accusing them of exploiting customers amid the chaos of storm clean-up efforts. A legal complaint lodged in the 30th Judicial Circuit Court in Ingham County pins the fraud on Canary Date Sculpting, Inc., a Florida enterprise which also operates as Canary Tree Service, for orchestrating a price gouging scheme alongside Mississippi’s Garrison McKinney Tree and Bridge Service, LLC, Kentucky's E & B Contracting, and Michigan’s own Holtslander and Sons Tree Service, LLC, as reported by WPBN/WGTU.
During the summer of 2021 and following a destructive tornado in Gaylord in May 2022, these companies reportedly misled consumers about contract terms, costs, insurance liabilities, and their legal rights the Department claims these firms engaged in deceptive efforts that led to excessive charges for tree-trimming services at a time when residents were grappling with the aftermath of natural disasters. In her statement, Attorney General Nessel underscored her inability to "tolerate businesses that exploit consumers with deceptive tactics" and vowed relentless pursuit of such predatory entities, as mentioned by Michigan Department of Attorney General.
As part of the broader initiative to protect consumers, Nessel's office encourages individuals impacted by storm damage to secure a written estimate prior to authorizing work and to rigorously examine any contract's details before committing to its terms. The recommendation extends especially to digital contracts, where fine print may be challenging to scrutinize without a printed copy on hand. This guidance comes amidst a backdrop of repeated incidents where vulnerable residents, in their urgency to restore normality, fall prey to opportunistic business practices in the storm's wake.
Michigan residents who believe they've been victimized by such fraudulent business conduct can file a grievance with the Consumer Protection Team to ignite an inquiry and potential recourse; contact details for the Attorney General's office including a physical mailing address, phone numbers, and an online complaint form have been provided to facilitate the lodging of such complaints.
