Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is sounding the alarm on a new tax scam preying on state residents, according to the department's official press release. Swindlers are sending out fake tax debt collection letters claiming recipients owe money, often leveraging personal information found online and public records to add a veneer of authenticity.
The scam letters, threatening property seizure if payment isn't made, are raising red flags due to the specificity of the details and the inclusion of an official-looking 'DR-1024' form number. While these letters contain personal information, legitimate Michigan Department of Treasury correspondence is sent through the U.S. Postal Service, features proper state letterhead with the names of the governor and state treasurer, provides avenues for debt resolution, and educates on taxpayer rights.
Nessel provided guidance for those questioning the legitimacy of such communications, saying, "If you receive a suspicious letter, do not panic." The advice includes directly contacting the Michigan Department of Treasury to verify any claims. Moreover, the Treasury Department is known for its non-confrontational approach, always providing taxpayers with multiple debt resolution methods, as mentioned in the same press release.
The Attorney General, reinforcing the seriousness of the situation, reissued the Government Imposter Scams alert, and encourages individuals to report suspicious mailers to both the Federal Trade Commission and her office's Consumer Protection Team. In stark contrast to the scammers' methods, legitimate government agencies never promise to increase benefits for a fee, threaten immediate legal action or arrest for unpaid funds, or demand untraditional payments like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The Attorney General's office has a hotline and online complaint form available for individuals to report scams or file complaints.
Consumers seeking assistance or reporting a scam can reach out to the Consumer Protection Team at the contact details provided: P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909, or call 517-335-7599. For those preferring a digital route, complaints can be lodged via the provided online platform.
