In response to a rising number of data breaches, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reissued a consumer alert to state residents during National Consumer Protection Week. According to official statements, incidents at McLaren Health Care, Change Healthcare, Ascension Healthcare, and AT&T have compromised consumer information. Nessel emphasized the urgency, saying, "The number of data breaches and reported incidents of identity theft continue to rise, with someone in the U.S. falling victim every two seconds."
The Attorney General's office has outlined steps to urgently protect oneself during a data breach. They advise to be vigilant against phishing emails, to regularly change or strengthen passwords, to avoid retaining unnecessary data, to employ multifactor authentication, and to routinely review credit reports. Free weekly credit reports can be obtained through the Annual Credit Report website from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
For individuals concerned their data may be compromised, a credit freeze is a recommended option. This preventive measure disallows creditors from accessing credit reports, effectively stopping identity thieves in their tracks and preventing them from opening new accounts in a consumer's name. Michigan law mandates that this service must be provided for free.
When consumers decide to freeze their credit, each of the three main credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – will provide a personal identification number (PIN) that can be used to thaw or refreeze their credit as needed. Consumers can contact Equifax at 800-685-1111, Experian at 888-EXPERIAN (888-397-3742), and TransUnion at 888-909-8872.
Should Michigan residents need to file a complaint or seek further assistance, the Attorney General’s office has provided contact details for the Consumer Protection Team. Consumers can reach out by phone at 517-335-7599, by fax at 517-241-3771, or through a toll-free number at 877-765-8388. There is also an online complaint form available for those who prefer to submit their issues digitally.
