FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Thursday, May 6, 2021

Attorney General Nessel Reissues Consumer Alert as Scammers Threaten Service LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing a Consumer Alert as scammers impersonating Consumers Energy target Michiganders.

The Department has received several complaints of someone cold-calling customers and threatening to shut off their power if the person doesn’t pay off a balance in 30 minutes, which is a utility imposter scam that attempts to take advantage of the customer’s concern for maintaining electricity or another vital utility.

A similar scam targeted DTE Energy customers late last year. “This is important enough to bear repeating: it is imperative people are aware that bad actors will stop at nothing to scam unsuspecting customers,” said Nessel. “If this Consumer Alert prevents even one Michigander from turning over personal information or money, it will have served its purpose of beating scammers at their own game.”

It’s important to remember Consumers Energy and other utility companies will never:

• cold-call you and give an ultimatum that your service will be shut off shortly unless you act;
• visit your home to collect a bill or threaten shutoff;
• request immediate payment through a prepaid debit card, or any form of unusual payment;
• request personal or financial information such as a Social Security number; or
• claim a customer is entitled to a refund or rebate by asking for bank account or credit card information to make the alleged refund.

Scammers are relentless, said Nessel, who earlier this week warned of scammers reaching out to loved ones of COVID-19 victims offering to register them for funeral assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“My department is committed to protecting Michigan residents from bad actors, wherever they are.” If you suspect you have been contacted by an imposter, you may file a complaint online with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team or call 877-765-8388.

Robo Call Scam – You receive a call from “card holder services” stating there is a problem with your credit card and you need to call the provided
number and resolve the issue immediately.
The criminal does not provide specific information about the card, but instead asks you to confirm your account information and card number.
Once you provide the number, you will be asked to verify your identity by providing your date of birth, social security number, or more, giving the criminals all the information needed to use your card or open new accounts.

Accidental Overpayment Scam– This scam targets people selling items online on sites such as Craigslist or the Buy Sell Trade pages on Facebook.
You receive the check and realize it is for more than the amount you were asking. You contact the buyer who tells you to go ahead and cash it, but send the overpayment back immediately.
The buyer was a criminal and the check is fraudulent. You are held responsible for the full amount.

Medical Alert Scam – These criminals will contact you and announce your family has purchased a medical alert system for you.
They ask you for personal information needed to set up the account, which they will use to steal your identity.

Grandchild in Trouble Telephone Call Scam – These criminals disguise their voice to make you believe it is your grandson or granddaughter, and tell you they’ve been arrested or in an accident.
You’re told not to discuss the problem with anyone, not even family, but rather, send money via GreenDot Money prepaid credit card to resolve the problem quickly.

2020 Census Scam – It is very important that everyone participates in the
2020 Census. However, you may be the victim of a scam if someone claiming to be from the Census Bureau asks you for certain information.

The Census Bureau never asks for:
• Your full Social Security number
• Money or donations
• Anything on behalf of a political party
• Your full bank or credit card account numbers
• Your mother’s maiden name

IRS Telephone Scam – A criminal will call posing as an angry IRS agent and tell you there’s a warrant for your arrest because you owe them money. To avoid being arrested, you’re told to provide the 14 digit code from a Green Dot money card in the amount you owe.
The real IRS would NEVER collect taxes in this manner!

Lonely Hearts Scam – Dating sites are a great places for international criminals to take advantage of you.
Over time, criminals establish a convincing, on line relationship with you and suggest they join you in the U.S.
Though they never intend to come, they ask you to send money for airfare and a variety or other expenses until you realize it is a scam.

Sweepstakes and Lottery Winner Scam – You receive a call, email, or letter announcing you have won a grand prize, lottery, or sweepstakes drawing.
You’re told you only need to pay the taxes and transfer fee to receive your prize, and that it should be done using a Green Dot money card or cashier’s check.
You send the money and never receive your prize.

Technical Support Computer Scam – These criminals will call you or send
an official looking “pop-up” message to your computer, advising it’s been infected with a virus.
The criminal will offer to fix it by remotely connecting to your computer. Once in, he will install a program that steals your personal information.

Stay Safe – Protect your money

Never Do:

NEVER give strangers personal information such as your social security number, driver’s license number, birth date, credit card or bank account numbers.

NEVER allow someone to remotely access your computer unless you KNOW FOR A FACT who you are dealing with because YOU established the contact.

NEVER allow your desire for easy money or companionship to override your judgment. People don’t win lotteries or sweepstakes unless they’ve entered them. People don’t need your money in order to give you money.

NEVER resolve financial issues involving the IRS, police, hospitals, or any other government agencies over the phone using prepaid credit cards.

Always Do

ALWAYS be suspicious of strangers whether in person, on the telephone or computer. These are not the good old days and criminals want
your money.

ALWAYS ask yourself if something sounds too good to be true. If it does, then it’s probably a scam. This may be your best line of defense.

ALWAYS take your time and ask questions! If a caller claims to be your grandchild, ask them a question only the child could answer.

ALWAYS be willing to hang up the phone. Criminals may become aggressive and demanding. Don’t be bullied, just hang up!