A new wave of imposter scams has prompted Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to reissue a consumer alert warning residents to remain vigilant to protect their personal information.
In a news release issued Wednesday, Nessel said her office has received multiple reports of scammers impersonating banks or credit unions to coerce customers to share account credentials and other personal details.
“Bad actors rely on urgency and spoofing technology to trick Michigan consumers into giving up access to their hard-earned money,” Nessel said in the release. “If you receive an unexpected call claiming there is a problem with your account, hang up immediately and contact your bank or credit union directly. If you believe you’ve been a victim of one of these scams, my office is here to help.”
Scammers can use this technology to make the caller ID appear to be from a legitimate source, helping to gain a customer’s trust. However, Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox says legitimate financial institutions would never pressure customers to share personal information by phone, text, or email.
“Your best defense is simple,” she says, “never share any information with anyone who contacts you. If something feels off, stop and verify it directly with your financial institution.”
Nessel’s office shared the following tips for consumers to protect themselves from imposter scams:
- DON’T share any personal information with an unsolicited caller
- ONLY share details with organizations you have contacted directly
- VERIFY the caller’s identity. If contacted about an urgent account issue, immediately hang up and call your financial institution using a trusted number
- NEVER transfer or send money, cryptocurrency, or gold to someone you don’t know in response to an unexpected call or message
DIFS also offers a variety of resources to combat fraud, including the DIFS website, publications, videos, and the DIFS Locator, where consumers can verify whether they are working with properly licensed individuals and businesses in the insurance and financial services space.
Anyone who has experienced suspicious activity related to insurance and financial services should file a report with DIF here, or by calling the agency at 877-999-6442. General consumer complaints can be filed with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team here.