Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents about a scam where callers pose as the Department of Attorney General’s "Consumer Protection Division." Using spoofing technology, the scammers make it appear as though the call is coming from a real Department phone number. Victims are falsely told their personal information has been "flagged" with credit agencies and that they must make an immediate payment to avoid having their credit cards and bank accounts shut down, according to the Department of Attorney General.
Amid the scam, Nessel clarified that the Department of Attorney General does not call to demand money and will never ask consumers to pay to fix “flagged accounts.” She also said claims about the Department closing accounts or talking about credit card debts over the phone are false.
Attorney General Nessel warned about scam calls pretending to be from her office. "This scam is alarming and designed to manipulate consumers into making hasty, costly decisions," she said. She added, "If you think you’ve received a scam call from the Department of Attorney General, please hang up and contact us directly." People can report these calls or get more information by contacting the Consumer Protection Team by mail at P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909, by phone at 517-335-7599 or 877-765-8388, by fax at 517-241-3771, or through the online complaint form on the state’s website, as reported by the Department of Attorney General.
