Consumer Safety

5-21-09

Police And Fire Solicitations... What You Should Know 5/2009

 

4-30-09

Michigan Enhanced Driver’s License and Personal Identification Card Effective April 21, 2009

New MI Enhanced Driver's License Features pdf      MI Enhanced Driver's License FAQ pdf

 

4-15-09 Tax Scam Alert

Tax season brings a multitude of opportunities for scam artists to prey on the public.  Phishing emails that appear to be from the IRS are beginning to pop up in abundance.  A new theme is the “audit questionnaire”.  This scam preys on the public’s fear of the IRS by sending an official looking email which says you are being audited and you must fill out the attached questionnaire by a certain date or face costly penalties.  The questionnaire asks for personal information including your social security number and date of birth.  DON’T DO IT!!!  As with any email posing as official communication from the IRS there are two things to remember.  First, the IRS doesn’t need your personal information – they already have it!  Second, the IRS never initiates email communication with tax payers.  Whether the email is an audit notice, request for bank account information to complete a refund or notice of an “extra” refund – it is just another way for the bad guys to try to get your money.

(3-11-09) STIMULUS PACKAGE BRINGS STIMULUS SCAMS

High profile media coverage of the economy and resulting stimulus package has provided con-artists with plenty of material to develop new scams.  Businesses are being targeted with faxes claiming to be from the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The “financial disclosure forms” appear to be a step on the road to getting a DOT contract, in reality they are an attempt at ID theft.  Individuals are being bombarded with fake offers related to stimulus “grants”.  These come dressed as offers to “help you get your share of the stimulus money” and often ask for a small fee along with personal information

GRANDPARENTS SCAM

Consumer Alert from the Michigan Attorney General On Grandparents Scam Click here

TELEMARKETING

Aggressive telemarketers claiming to represent sheriffs have been reported statewide.  MSA does NOT telemarket.  If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to represent MSA, do not give them your financial information.  Instead, please note the time and date of the phone call, ask the caller to clearly identify who they represent and hang up!  To report the incident, call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division toll free at (877) 765-8388.

Resources

USA.Gov Consumer Guides and Protection

Consumer Protection Div. of Michigan Attorney General

Internet Crime Prevention Tips

Internet Crime Schemes