Explore the Archive

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a tax identity theft alert in February 2024, urging residents to file taxes early to prevent criminals from using stolen personal information to claim fraudulent refunds. The alert provides guidance on protecting Social Security numbers, using secure filing methods, and recognizing IRS scams, while advising victims of tax-related identity theft to contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit and file an FTC complaint.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel conducted an educational outreach event at a senior center in Mt. Morris to teach seniors how to identify and avoid scams, emphasizing that while AI-generated deepfakes and voice-emulation scams are real threats, education is the best defense. Nessel stressed that seniors are disproportionately impacted by scams and advised vigilance against criminals posing as banks, government agencies, and other trusted entities through email and phone calls. She encouraged victims to report scams to local police.

Following disaster declarations from last summer's tornadoes and storms in Michigan, FEMA warned residents to be alert for scams targeting disaster victims seeking reimbursement. Scammers impersonate legitimate disaster relief workers or contractors, attempting to obtain personal information (Social Security numbers, banking details) or advance payments, while FEMA emphasized it never requests money upfront, asks for repayment of grant funds, or solicits personal financial information by phone. Residents are advised to verify worker credentials with official laminated FEMA ID badges and to report suspected fraud to FEMA's disaster fraud hotline at (866) 720-5721.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will host a free educational presentation on February 26 at the Madison Heights Active Adult Center to address common scams targeting senior citizens. The discussion covers imposter scams where con artists pose as relatives, utility workers, government officials, or romantic interests, often using artificial intelligence and creating false urgency to pressure victims into sending money via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Authorities recommend seniors verify caller identities through independent contact information, never share personal financial details without confirmation, and report suspected scams to local police or the Federal Trade Commission.

In 2023, consumers reported losing a record $10 billion to fraud and scams—a 14% increase from 2022—according to FTC data, with 2.6 million fraud reports filed nationwide and approximately 700,000 people reporting financial losses. Common scams included romance fraud, fake bank and tech support calls, and impersonation schemes, with criminals exploiting digital payment methods including bank transfers ($1.86 billion) and cryptocurrency ($1.41 billion). Michigan consumers alone lost $151.7 million to fraud in 2023, with a median loss of $410 per victim.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and state Rep. Jasper Martus hosted an educational presentation in Mt. Morris Township designed to teach senior citizens how to identify and avoid scams targeting older adults. The event, held on February 23 at the Krapohl Senior Center, was part of Nessel's broader Elder Abuse Task Force initiative launched in 2019, which comprises over 55 public, private, and nonprofit organizations working to protect Michigan seniors from fraud and deception.

**Summary:** Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a fraud alert after scammers sent phishing emails impersonating her, claiming to help recipients whose tax refunds were being stolen but actually attempting to collect personal information. The fraudulent emails, sent from fake Gmail accounts with broken English and poor grammar, falsely claimed to address tax refund complaints and asked recipients for sensitive details. Nessel reminded consumers that government agencies do not collect federal tax debt via email or phone, and the IRS never demands immediate payment, threatens arrest, or requests personal information electronically.

Valerie Williams, a 65-year-old Michigan resident, won a $1 million prize in the Michigan Lottery's Electric Giveaway after initially hesitating to answer what she thought was a scam call from the lottery. Williams had earned her spot in the live drawing at Comerica Park on September 19 by scanning non-winning lottery tickets on the Michigan Lottery mobile app, ultimately beating four other finalists. She plans to save the winnings and use them for a vacation with her husband.

Three individuals were charged with Medicaid fraud for allegedly exploiting Michigan's transportation reimbursement program: Bernice Marie Pate (10 counts), Wanda Rose Spivey (5 counts), and Ashley Eliza Mendoza (5 counts). The defendants allegedly used a smartphone app to spoof GPS location data and submit false reimbursement claims for medical trips that never occurred, defrauding a program designed to help Medicaid beneficiaries reach medical appointments. All three were arraigned in October 2025 and released on $50,000 personal recognizance bonds.

Hundreds of Medicaid and Medicare recipients in Michigan received fraudulent text messages claiming their insurance coverage was terminated, with scammers exploiting federal government shutdown fears to pressure victims into clicking malicious links and surrendering personal information. At least 200 patients of EPIC Health fell victim to the scam, which caused significant disruptions to healthcare delivery and delayed medical care for vulnerable populations with chronic conditions. The Michigan Attorney General issued a warning advising recipients to block messages, avoid clicking links, and report the fraud.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of potential government imposter scams during the federal government shutdown, where fraudsters may pose as officials to steal personal information or money by falsely claiming issues with Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or SNAP benefits. Nessel advised consumers not to click links or download attachments in suspicious communications, and to verify any government contact directly with the agency, noting that legitimate government agencies never request personal information via email, phone, or text, and never demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned residents of a smishing scam in which fraudulent text messages falsely claim to be from a nonexistent "State of Michigan Department of Vehicles," threatening license or registration suspension over unpaid tickets and directing victims to fake payment sites to steal personal and financial information. Consumers are advised to delete suspicious texts without clicking links, use spam-blocking tools, and report smishing messages to SPAM (7726) and the Federal Trade Commission.

Seniors in Marquette, Michigan are being targeted by a Medicare fraud scam involving false claims for unnecessary medical equipment, such as diabetic supplies for non-diabetics and orthopedic braces for those without medical needs. The scam uses stolen personal information including names and Social Security numbers, though fraudsters are often located outside the area, making them difficult to track. Victims can report suspected fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or contacting the Marquette Senior Center for assistance.

Romance scams, known as "catfishing," victimize gullible but well-meaning people across the United States, with Michigan ranking notably high among affected states. Americans lose hundreds of millions of dollars annually to these schemes, with losses expected to increase. To avoid becoming a victim, people should never give money or personal information to online contacts, avoid being rushed into relationships, and refuse to engage with anyone unwilling to video chat or meet in person.

Vatsal Pankajkumar Mistry was arrested and charged with money laundering conspiracy in connection with a "phantom hacker" scheme that defrauded multiple victims in Ohio and Michigan. A 76-year-old woman from Ann Arbor lost over $500,000 after being convinced to grant remote computer access for a fake refund, leading to multiple cash and gold bar drop-offs; Mistry admitted to participating in pickups for approximately $500 per package. Mistry waived his preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to a grand jury, with an ICE detainer preventing his release.

Romance scams, also known as "catfishing," cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars annually, with Michigan ranking particularly high in victim numbers. The article provides four key prevention strategies: never send money to online contacts, avoid sharing personal information that could enable identity theft, be cautious of scammers who rush romantic relationships, and insist on video chat or in-person meetings before developing deeper connections.

Michigan's Department of Treasury warned residents about smishing scams involving fraudulent text messages falsely claiming tax refunds are pending and requesting banking information to release them. The scam, which has circulated nationwide, exploits urgency and the threat of forfeited refunds; residents should recognize that the state only communicates via official mail, not unsolicited texts, and should immediately delete suspicious messages and report them to authorities.

Massachusetts resident Donald Peltier operated fraudulent political websites impersonating the Democratic and Republican National Committees to solicit donations from the public. A Michigan court ordered Peltier to shut down the fake sites and cease obtaining money through false pretenses, with daily fines of $300 for non-compliance. Attorney General Nessel advises voters to verify political websites through official sources and the Federal Election Commission before donating, particularly warning that seniors are frequent targets of such scams.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was named the inaugural attorney general strategic partner of the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance, a public-private coalition uniting law enforcement, retailers, and consumer advocates to combat gift card fraud. Americans reported losses exceeding $228 million to gift card scams in 2023, with the actual figure likely higher due to underreporting, as criminals increasingly use gift card tampering and fraud as part of organized retail crime operations. Nessel's office has established the FORCE task force to combat organized retail crime, having charged over 85 defendants and recovered more than $10 million in stolen merchandise to date.

A 25-year-old Indian student, Vedantkumar Patel, was arrested for defrauding a Michigan elderly couple of $50,000 through an impersonation scam in which he posed as a government official and falsely claimed their credit card had been used for illegal purchases. The FBI took over the federal prosecution after Patel, who was in the US on a student visa, was extradited from Ohio to Michigan, where he faces felony charges and ICE placed a detainer on him. This case is part of a rising trend of scams targeting American seniors, with similar incidents involving Indian students also recently prosecuted.

A 25-year-old Indian University of Toledo student, Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel, was arrested in Michigan for defrauding an elderly couple of $50,000 through an impersonation scam in which he posed as a government official claiming their credit card was used to purchase child pornography, then convinced them to withdraw cash and hand it to a fake Treasury Department agent. Patel faced multiple felony charges including larceny over $20,000 and false pretenses over $50,000, with investigators determining he may have targeted additional victims and transferred stolen funds to India. The case is part of a broader trend of scams targeting senior citizens

Eight defendants, all Indian nationals except one Ohio resident, were prosecuted for operating a transnational money laundering conspiracy that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of their life savings between May and November 2023. The scheme involved "phantom hacker" scams where fraudsters falsely claimed victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonated law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring funds for supposed "protection," resulting in nearly $4 million in restitution ordered and prison sentences ranging from 2 to 6 years. The last defendant, Kishan Vinayak Patel, 26, received a 46-month sentence after conviction on money

Eight individuals were sentenced to federal prison for operating an international "phantom hacker" scam that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of tens of millions of dollars between May and November 2023. The conspirators posed as company officials and law enforcement agents to convince victims their financial accounts were compromised, then persuaded them to withdraw cash or gold bars for alleged safekeeping, which was then distributed among the scammers. The defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution, with sentences ranging from 24 to 72 months in prison.

Eight members of a transnational money laundering conspiracy, seven Indian nationals and one Ohio resident, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 6 years for laundering proceeds from "phantom hacker" fraud schemes that victimized residents across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana between May and November 2023. The scam involved fraudsters falsely claiming victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonating law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring their life savings under the guise of account protection. The eight defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution to victims who lost their life savings.

Oakland County (Southeast Michigan) experienced a surge in scams targeting bank customers, renters, and seniors, according to AARP Scam Tracker data. Scammers used multiple tactics including fake bank calls claiming account breaches, fraudulent rental listings with stolen photos, impersonation of medical device sellers targeting seniors for credit card information, fake utility workers, and phishing emails promoting bogus antivirus software. Authorities recommend verifying information through official sources, never sharing personal details with unsolicited callers, and contacting Michigan's Attorney General (877-765-8388) or AARP's Fraud Watch (877-908-3360) for assistance.

Consumers Energy and utilities across North America are warning Michigan customers about a prevalent scam in which criminals call or email demanding immediate payment under threat of power shutoff, spoofing legitimate utility phone numbers and requesting payment via debit cards, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. The scams are so widespread that over 150 utilities have formed a coalition called Utilities United Against Scams, and victims are advised to contact Consumers Energy at 800-477-5050, report to local police, and contact their bank immediately if they used a credit card, though recovery is unlikely for wire transfers or gift card payments.

Scammers have been contacting Michigan residents by phone and email, impersonating Consumers Energy representatives and threatening service disconnection unless immediate payment is made via prepaid debit cards or gift cards. Consumers Energy clarified that it never demands specific payment methods or requests credit card information over the phone, and customers should hang up and call the official number (800-477-5050) to verify any such contact. Those who suspect they were scammed should report the incident to Consumers Energy or local police depending on whether payment was made.

The Michigan Lottery is warning residents about scam artists impersonating lottery agents or winners and tricking people into sending money by claiming they've won prizes they never entered. These scams typically start with a request for payment for supposed processing fees or taxes, and scammers often return asking for more money as additional "costs" arise. To protect yourself, remember that the Michigan Lottery processes legitimate claims for free and you can only win if you actually purchased a ticket—if you're unsure about an offer, call 844-917-6325 to verify its legitimacy before sending any money.

Romance scams are surging, with Barclays data showing a 20% spike in the first quarter compared to the previous year, primarily originating on social media and online dating platforms. A Northeast Ohio woman's ex-husband, a nursing home resident seeking companionship, lost tens of thousands of dollars after meeting someone on TikTok who claimed to be visiting from Michigan, illustrating how quickly these scams escalate from initial contact to financial exploitation.

Scammers in West Michigan are targeting residents with tech support scams, posing as representatives from major companies like Microsoft or Dell and claiming to have detected computer issues. Once victims grant remote access to their computers, scammers either steal money directly or install malware to harvest sensitive data including banking information and social security numbers, which can then be used for identity theft, credit fraud, and unauthorized loans.

This article is not about elder fraud or scams—it's a comedic piece about a Michigan priest who runs a gun buyback program offering Target gift cards to incentivize residents to turn in firearms. The program successfully collected guns in exchange for $5,000 in gift cards during its first event, which drew a 2-mile-long line of participants. This is a community violence reduction initiative, not a fraud case.

Jury duty phone scams are increasing across Oakland County, Michigan, with scammers impersonating law enforcement and claiming victims owe money for missed jury duty to frighten them into paying. A Birmingham resident nearly fell for the scam after receiving a realistic voicemail from a local number with prompts mimicking the sheriff's department, though the Oakland County Sheriff's Department warns the public to recognize these calls as fraudulent schemes.

The Better Business Bureau identified online purchase scams as the top scam type in 2024, where victims visit fraudulent websites that either fail to deliver purchased items or steal their information, with individual losses typically ranging from $20-$50 but affecting hundreds of people across the state. Phishing scams, which doubled in West Michigan last year, are also increasingly prevalent, with scammers sending deceptive text messages claiming packages are late or toll fees are owed to trick victims into providing payment or personal information.

**Summary:** Three men operating a home repair scam targeted seniors in the Taylor, Michigan area, specifically around Mason and Bailey streets, by posing as workers and entering homes without permission to solicit repair services. When an 81-year-old homeowner discovered one of the men inside his home offering driveway crack-sealing services, he confronted the intruder, leading to a physical altercation in which the homeowner was thrown to the ground. Police are seeking the three suspects who drive a dark blue Chevy Equinox.