Warnings About Holiday Scams Using Artificial Intelligence

Warnings About Holiday Scams Using Artificial Intelligence

Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 11, 2024

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

Attorney General Nessel Warns Consumers About Holiday Scams Using Artificial Intelligence

LANSING – As part of her ongoing Holiday Scams Campaign, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is re-issuing her Artificial Intelligence and Scams alert to warn residents about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by fraudsters to take advantage of consumers. Rapid advancements in AI are being misused to create deepfake audio and video scams so realistic that they can even fool those who know us best.

“Artificial intelligence can be used legitimately as a tool to help make our everyday lives easier,” said Nessel. “It is unfortunate that this technology is being exploited by bad actors intent on scamming and defrauding the public. This alert will help you avoid falling victim to con artists who use voice cloning tricks to play on your emotions and steal your money.”

Scammers can clone a person’s voice using audio data collected from public social media posts or videos. They can then call victims, spoofing the phone number of a loved one to impersonate them in distress and make urgent demands for money.

To guard against such scams, Attorney General Nessel recommends the following:

  • Establish a family verification phrase: Use a code word or phrase that only your family knows to confirm identity during suspicious calls.
  • Do not trust caller ID: Scammers can spoof phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate.
  • Verify the situation: If something feels off, hang up and call the person back using a known number.
  • Beware of unusual payment requests: Scammers often demand payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers—methods that are hard to trace or reverse.

Nessel’s alert also notes that scams often share common warning signs, including:

  • High-pressure tactics to act immediately.
  • Use of fear or enticing offers.
  • Demands for sensitive information or unusual payment methods.

If you’ve fallen victim to a scam:

  • Notify local law enforcement.
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
  • Report fraudulent charges to your bank, credit card company, or payment app.
  • Contact the issuer of any gift card or money transfer service used.

Victims can also contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388 or file complaint online.

For more tips, visit the Attorney General’s Recognizing a Scam page, and to view all the holiday scam alerts, visit the Department of Attorney General’s website.

Shoppers encouraged to contribute to a loved ones’ future

Shoppers encouraged to contribute to a loved ones’ future

Treasury Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2024

Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167

Shoppers encouraged to
contribute to a loved ones’
future this holiday season with
the Michigan Education Trust

MET gift brightens the season by empowering dreams and ensuring a lasting legacy 

LANSING — With the holiday shopping season in full swing, Michigan families seeking meaningful alternatives to fleeting gifts like toys and gadgets can turn to the Michigan Education Trust (MET) to offer a gift that grows over time and secures a future filled with opportunity for their loved ones.

One such family embracing the idea is that of Saginaw County mother Meaghan Mitchell, who has made MET, the 529 prepaid tuition savings program administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury, a key part of her holiday shopping list for her two young daughters.

“Investing in my daughters’ education is the ultimate gift,” said Mitchell, whose daughters are both under the age of 6. “This holiday season, I’m asking family and friends to join together to consider giving them something that lasts a lifetime. MET gives me peace of mind knowing their college savings are secure, no matter how much tuition rises in the future.”

Mitchell added that her children will still get plenty of toys, games and clothing.

“That is Santa’s job,” she said.

MET allows families to prepurchase college credits at today’s prices, for use at Michigan public universities and colleges, protecting against future tuition hikes.  In addition, MET funds can be used to pay out-of-state and Michigan private college and university tuition. MET credits can also be transferred to other eligible family members.

For a short time, a special holiday bonus allows purchasers to use coupon code HOLIDAY24 to waive the $25 online enrollment fee on new contracts purchased around the holidays. The waiver begins Dec. 12, 2024, and runs through Jan. 2, 2025.

“MET is an ideal way to ensure a brighter future while celebrating the spirit of giving during holiday season or any other time,” said MET Executive Director Diane Brewer. “This time of year is about creating memories and giving meaningful gifts. What better way to embody the holiday spirit than by giving a gift that supports your loved ones’ dreams for years to come?”

Families can open a MET contract by purchasing as little as one credit hour or contribute to an existing one with as little as $25. Contributions are eligible for state tax deductions, making it a smart gift for both parents and grandparents. Purchases made before Dec. 31, 2024, qualify for a Michigan state income tax deduction this year for eligible Michigan residents.

Why choose MET this holiday season?

  • Tax Benefits: Contributions may be deductible from Michigan income tax.
  • Flexibility: MET funds can be used at universities, colleges and technical schools across the country.
  • Peace of Mind: MET protects against future tuition increases.

To make this holiday season truly unforgettable, consider a gift that grows with your family. Whether you’re a parent like Meaghan Mitchell, a grandparent or simply someone who wants to make a difference, MET is a gift that resonates far beyond the holiday season.

About MET

The Michigan Education Trust (MET) is Michigan’s 529 prepaid tuition savings program that allows parents, grandparents and others to save by buying future college credits at today’s tuition rates. Established in 1986, MET has helped tens of thousands of Michigan families save for higher education.

More information about MET is available at SETwithMET.com or 800-MET-4-KID. MET also hosts webinars throughout the year to inform families about the program’s features and benefits and offers one-on-one consultation sessions to make saving with MET more accessible.

Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointment to the Bench 

Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointment to the Bench 

 

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 10, 2024

Contact: press@michigan.gov

 

Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointment to the Bench

 

LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Reid Felsing to 56A District Court in Eaton County.

 

“I am proud to appoint Reid Felsing to the bench in Eaton County,” said Governor Whitmer. “With his years of experience as a magistrate, professor, and legal practitioner, I know he will uphold the rule of law and serve his community with distinction.”

 

56-A District Court – Eaton County

 

Reid Felsing started his legal career as the supervising attorney and public interest fellow for the Small Business and Nonprofit Clinic at MSU College of Law. After his fellowship, he joined Knaggs Brake, P.C., in Lansing, Michigan, working five years as an associate attorney. He continued teaching as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Lansing Community College. He also served as the magistrate at the 56A District Court in Eaton County.

 

Currently, he is the owner of The Law Office of Reid Felsing, established in 2017. He serves as a Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS) roster attorney, representing indigent clients throughout Michigan. He is also on the assigned counsel lists in Ingham and Eaton counties, and is admitted to practice before the Eastern District Court of Michigan and Western District Court of Michigan. He is a member of both the Ingham and Eaton County Bar Associations.

 

Reid Felsing holds a Bachelor of Arts from Saginaw Valley State University in political science and criminal justice, a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law, and an LL. M. in Corporate Law and Finance from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

 

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Governor Whitmer for the opportunity to serve the people of Eaton County,” said Reid Felsing. “I am humbled to be in a role to serve my community as its district court judge.”

 

This appointment was made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Julie A. O’Neill. Judge Felsing’s term will commence on January 6, 2025, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.

 

  Judicial appointment

Transportation Safety, Keeping Kids Safe at the Bus

Transportation Safety, Keeping Kids Safe at the Bus

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 10, 2024

Contact: press@michigan.gov

 

Governor Whitmer Signs Bills Promoting Transportation Safety, Keeping Kids Safe at the Bus Stop and Protecting Construction Workers on Site

These bipartisan bills work to keep Michiganders safe on the roads and reduce traffic accidents, saving people time and money

 

LANSING, Mich.  – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed six bipartisan, commonsense bills which will make our roads safer for Michiganders across the state, whether they’re headed to school or clocking in for work. Governor Whitmer also signed a bill honoring Trooper Joel E. Popp who lost his life in the line of duty during a traffic stop. Each of these bills work to uphold transportation safety and reduce crashes, saving Michiganders’ lives, time, and money. Including today’s legislation, Governor Whitmer has signed a record 1,416 bipartisan bills into law since taking office.

 

“In Michigan, we’re focused on fixing the damn roads and making sure people are safe as they go to work, drop their kids off at school, and run errands,” said Governor Whitmer. “That’s why I’m proud to sign this set of commonsense, bipartisan bills that better protect safety on the road and will help us reduce crashes, save lives and put money back in people’s pockets. Whether they’re driving on them or working on them, these bills will make sure that every Michigander is safe on our roads.”

 

House Bills 4132 and 4133, sponsored by state Representative Will Snyder (D-Muskegon) and state Representative Mike Mueller (R-Linden), will work to reduce crashes and protect construction workers by implementing work zone safety cameras in marked areas of the road. Michigan will join 23 other states who currently use this technology that has been proven to reduce speeds and protect construction workers. In 2023 alone, MSP recorded over 8,000 construction work zone-related crashes with 24 fatalities in Michigan. By monitoring speed in our construction zones, this bill will help protect construction workers as they work to “fix the damn roads,” and reduce crashes.

 

“Maintaining Michigan’s roads is vital for our state’s economic development and success,” said state Representative Will Snyder (D-Muskegon), House Bill 4132 sponsor. “In order to accomplish this, we must first ensure that our road workers are safe while doing their jobs. This legislation will help combat speeding and reckless driving in construction zones, which will protect our essential road workers and drivers alike.”

 

“Fixing our road is a top priority in our state,” said state Representative Mike Mueller (R-Linden). “We must protect the workers that are on the front lines making that progress happen.”

 

House Bills 4928, 4929, and 4930, sponsored by state Representative Nate Shannon (D- Sterling Heights) and state Representative Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), will support Michigan schools and our kids’ education by allowing school buses to be equipped with a camera system that will track violations for failure to stop. The bill will allocate the funds raised from these violations to return to school districts and be used for transportation safety. These bills will better enforce the laws that keep children safe as they board and exit school busses, promoting community safety and supporting local school districts.

 

“As a former teacher, student safety matters a great deal to me. Far too many drivers ignore stop signals on school buses — putting children at risk. This legislation gives law enforcement the tools they need to ensure kids’ safe travel to and from school,” said state Representative Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights). “We are sending a strong message by holding drivers accountable — student safety always comes first.”

 

“Riding the bus to school should be a safe and fun experience for our children, plain and simple,” said state Representative Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit). “We’ve worked hard to discourage people from dangerously driving around school buses during the pick-up and drop-off period. We’ve put traffic laws and fines in place and now violators will not only pay fines, but schools will receive a portion of those fines that can be put to use back in the school district. Every step we take to make sure our kids get to and from school safely is a step in the right direction, putting them and their protection first.”

 

House Bill 5717, sponsored by state Representative Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), designates a portion of highway I-75 in Saginaw County as the Trooper Joel E. Popp Memorial Highway. This bill honors the memory of Joel E. Popp, a Michigan State Police Trooper who died in the line of duty while responding to a traffic accident in January 2024.

 

“It is a bittersweet day — it is a day of remembrance and honor. In May, our hometown tragically lost Trooper Joel E. Popp during a traffic stop,” said state Representative Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw). “A portion of I-75 will now bear Popp’s name and recognize him, his work and his dedication as a trooper and as a family man — may he always be remembered.”

 

Bill signing

AG Warns Consumers of Puppy Scams During the Holiday Season

AG Warns Consumers of Puppy Scams During the Holiday Season

Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 10, 2024

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Warns Consumers of Puppy Scams During the Holiday Season

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging consumers to be wary of puppy scams as many people seek to purchase or adopt dogs during the holiday season.

Many people enjoy gifting kittens, puppies, and other pets to loved ones during the holidays, which creates an atmosphere ripe for scammers to exploit. Michigan residents in recent years have been tricked into paying for pets that do not exist or have adopted pets with undisclosed health issues, behavioral complications, or falsified medical records. Attorney General Nessel recently launched an investigation into an unknown individual on the pet adoption website RescueMe.org who is accused of misleading Michigan consumers by allegedly falsifying vaccination records for an animal sold through the website.

“While the holidays inspire many to bring in the joy with a furry friend, it’s important consumers exercise caution when searching for a new pet,” Nessel said. “Always thoroughly research any online purchase to ensure you are not the latest victim of a scam.”

In addition to the deceptive practices of advertising puppies that do not exist or charging exorbitant fees, scammers are taking advantage of the holiday season as they use it as a reason to avoid in-person visits and demand additional fees.

Attorney General Nessel released a Public Service Announcement in 2022 with tips to help consumers spot and avoid puppy scams. Consumers should remain hyper-vigilant and use these best practices:

  • Make sure the person you’re gifting the pet to wants the pet and is ready for ownership.
  • Research the breed and breeder.
  • If the breeder claims to have registered the puppy, research the pet.
  • Do not purchase a puppy sight unseen.
  • Arrange for safe transport of the pet.
  • Use a credit card to make the purchase. If it turns out you have been scammed, it is very unlikely you will ever get your money back if you have paid through cash, check, or through platforms like PayPal and Venmo.
  • Retain all documents and communications from the breeder.
  • Consider contacting your local shelter for adoption.

Each year, consumers in the U.S. spend more than $1 billion buying puppies without realizing they may be doing business with scammers, puppy mill operators, or both. Puppy mills are inhumane dog breeding operations that keep dogs in overcrowded and unhealthy conditions and, depending on location, many are not regulated or inspected. Breeders hide their poor conditions by meeting buyers at offsite locations or selling through pet stores or online.

To view all the holiday scam alerts, visit the Department of Attorney General’s website. Michigan consumers who believe they have been a victim of a puppy scam can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

AG Urges Consumers to Look Out for Phishing Attacks this Holiday

AG Urges Consumers to Look Out for Phishing Attacks this Holiday

Michigan Department of Attorney General Press Release banner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 9, 2024

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Urges Consumers to Look Out for Phishing Attacks this Holiday Season

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her consumer alert on phishing scams to warn residents of ways scammers are conning consumers this holiday season, particularly when it comes to package deliveries.

Scammers may employ various tactics to steal personal information and financial data. Phishing is a cyberattack where a criminal poses as a trusted person/organization to trick potential victims into sharing sensitive data or sending money. Smishing has the same goal but comes in the form of a text message.

USPS Spam Text message

The messages may appear to be from legitimate sources like the USPS or Amazon and contain links that lead to fake websites designed to steal login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive information. Oftentimes, the USPS smishing scam alerts the victim to an alleged delayed package and then requires a purchase for updates.

“The increase in online shopping and home deliveries has provided opportunities for criminals to masquerade as delivery companies,” Nessel said. “Clicking on a link in an email or text could take you to a fake site where you will be asked to enter more details to prove your identity or to pay a non-existent fee. Do not reply to any suspicious text or email and be sure to report phishers to the FTC and my Department.”

If consumers receive a suspicious email or text, they should:

  • Not download any attachments in the message. Attachments may contain malware such as viruses, worms, or spyware.
  • Not click links that appear in the message. Links in phishing messages direct consumers to fraudulent websites.
  • Not reply to the sender. Ignore any requests from the sender and do not call any phone numbers provided in the message.

Report it. Forward suspected phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group. Consumers who receive a smishing text message should forward it to SPAM (7726), then report the smishing attack to the FTC.

USPS Scam Text version two

If consumers receive a suspicious phone call that seems to be a phishing attempt, they are advised to:

  • Hang up or end the call. Be aware that area codes can be misleading. If their caller ID displays a local area code, this does not guarantee that the caller is local.
  • Not respond to the caller’s requests. Legitimate companies will never call consumers to request personal information. Never give personal information to the incoming caller.

Victims of a scam can file a complaint by contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at:

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form