As Michigan residents begin cleaning up after last night's severe storms, Attorney General Dana Nessel has reissued an urgent warning to be vigilant of post-storm scams that prey on the vulnerable. Nessel emphasized the importance of taking prudent steps before entering any repair or rebuilding contracts, urging locals to contact their insurance companies and seek out local, licensed professionals. She insisted on verifying credentials, obtaining multiple estimates, and thoroughly reviewing contracts before signing the dotted line.
Following the recent weather chaos, Attorney General Nessel's office highlighted several common deceptive practices. In an alert, she pointed out that imposters may claim to represent government entities or utilities to swindle distressed homeowners. According to the alert, the scammers often offer bogus government funding for repairs or demand early deposits for supposedly expedited services, always asking for personal or banking information. Being acutely aware that the tree services industry is unregulated, Nessel advises homeowners to be as scrupulous with them as they would with any other contractor, securing written quotes to circumvent potential exploitation.
Another deceit at play during these recovery times is the Disaster Relief Charity Scam. Attorney General Dana Nessel recapped that it's essential to show caution when sending unsolicited messages from unknown organizations. "Be wary of messages from unknown organizations. Give to organizations that are well-known for giving disaster relief," she stressed. She advised against emerging social media ads and recommended directly accessing known charities' websites.
The department offers a Power Outage Feedback and Inquiry form for residents dealing with extended power outages or seeking overdue outage credits. And suppose one encounters a scam or requires additional information. In that case, Nessel's office stands ready to assist, having provided contact details for the Consumer Protection Team, including a phone number, fax, mailing address, and an online complaint form, which can be found in the original alert on their website.
Citizens are encouraged to reach out and report any suspicious activities to ensure that those responsible for attempting to capitalize on disaster-stricken communities are held accountable.
