Recent Scams

Scams: Protecting Yourself This Holiday Season

As the festive season approaches, many of us look forward to celebrating with family and friends, exchanging gifts, and enjoying holiday traditions. However, it’s also a time when scammers ramp up their efforts, targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly older adults. Here’s what you need to know about common holiday scams in Michigan, how to protect yourself, and what steps to take...

Men accused of scamming grandmothers out of 40,000 dollars

Investigators say three out-of-state men posed as couriers to steal $40,000 from West Michigan grandmothers who thought their grandchildren were in jail.

Free COVID test scam targets people on Medicare

Scammers have been targeting Medicare recipients with a fake offer to get “free COVID tests.” They’re calling and running websites, online and television ads to try to convince people to give their Medicare information. But if you give them your information, they’ll bill fraudulent charges to Medicare.

As prices rise, keep an eye out for scammers

With the cost of groceries, housing, and many other things rising, you might be looking for ways to cut costs. You aren’t alone. Across the country, people are worried about high prices impacting their budgets. And scammers are taking notice.

Shopping scams are in session for back-to-school shopping

Back-to-school season can be stressful for many kids and their parents — especially when scammers are back to work with online school shopping scams. But there are ways to get your school shopping done while avoiding scams that cost you valuable time and money.

Don’t click on that random text. It’s a scam

Sorry to burst your bubble. That unexpected text from the Postal Service (USPS), Costco, or The Home Depot telling you about an unclaimed package or a survey you can complete to claim a freebie is NOT from them. It’s a scam.

FTC Commissioners aren’t calling you — really

Scammers have been calling, pretending to be people from the FTC. While the names they use might be real, they’re actually scammers — some of them hoping to trick you into thinking they’re an FTC Commissioner. But they’re not. Whether the caller promises you a prize or threatens you with arrest — and even if they give a (fake) badge number — that’s a scammer.

Selling stuff online? Here’s how to avoid a scam

Selling stuff online can be a great way to make some extra cash. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other sites attract a lot of buyers — and scammers. Here are some ways scammers try to cheat you and what to do about it.

Utility Imposter Scams

Have you ever received a call from a utility company claiming that your bill is overdue and if you don’t pay now, your power, heat, or water will be turned off immediately? That is the last thing you want in Michigan’s cold winters or hot summers. Scammers know this and will pose as utility company employees to trick you into providing money, personal, or financial information.

Text Message Scams: Smishing

The practice of sending fraudulent emails purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, or to click on links that install malware, is called phishing. Smishing has the same goal but comes in the form of a text message.

Defending against impersonator scams

American servicemembers sacrifice so much to honorably defend the nation. But dishonorable scammers make it their mission to con servicemembers out of their hard-earned money and benefits by pretending to be trusted companies and government agencies. During Military Consumer Month — and all year round — we’re empowering servicemembers, veterans, and their families to spot and avoid...

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Advancing Equity

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) serves as a reminder about the factors surrounding abuse and neglect of older persons. The pandemic highlighted the disproportionate impact of tragedy on underserved communities, including seniors, who faced high rates of elder abuse, fraud, and nursing homes deaths.

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week focuses on the actions everyone can take to prevent Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. Learn how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from Medicare fraud by joining us on 6/5 to kick off celebrating this week!

Spotting the FTC’s most reported crypto scams

If the cryptocurrency craze feels like a tempting way to make money, or you think you’re missing out, read on. Because, according to the FTC’s new data spotlight, scammers are banking on what you don’t know about cryptocurrency — or scammers’ tricks. And that could cost you serious money.

Celebrate Pride, Fight Fraud

Fraud affects every community, and some of the most egregious scams and abuses target the LGBTQ+ community. This Pride Month, the FTC wants to help the community fight back.