PERSONAL INFORMATION

DETROIT – An urban explorer discovered unsecured files containing personal information inside the permanently closed Murphy Academy in Detroit. We relinquished all student data and building access back to the Detroit Public School District after it closed. Murphy AcademyDetroit Public Schools Community District emailed the charter school in Sept. 2018, sharing photographs of the records they took from Murphy Academy. Detroit schools believed they collected everything. Detroit Public Schools Community DistrictThe other question left to answer is: How could the school be broken into?

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning Michigan residents to beware of a new scam aimed at those struggling to pay rent. AdMany Michigan residents are finding it difficult to pay rent during COVID-19 because the pandemic has caused economic hardship for countless families and individuals. Avoid companies that tell you to stop paying rent or require an up-front fee. Anyone struggling to make rent payments should discuss it with their landlord and look into local programs that offer rental assistance and other help. Those who are facing eviction or need help paying rent may soon find assistance through the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CERA) administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents to watch out for imposter scams related to DTE Energy. DTE Energy reported that it has received complaints about calls that were made to customers by someone claiming to be a DTE Energy employee. It was an attempt to get personal information and cash. Some common scams to watch out for include IRS scams, social security scams, telephone scams, charity scams, romance scams and investment scams. Legitimate organizations won’t call, email, or text to ask you for personal information.

DETROIT The Michigan Secretary of State is refuting a report that Russians have shared the personal data of nearly every Michigan voter. A report published by a Russian newspaper claims internet users in Russia have stolen information on millions of voters in Michigan, Arkansas, Connecticut, North Carolina and Florida. The newspaper reports the users aimed to collect money from the U.S. Department of Justices Rewards for Justice program, which is administered by the Diplomatic Security Service. We encourage all Michigan voters to be wary of attempts to hack their minds, however, by questioning the sources of information and advertisements they encounter and seeking out trusted sources, including their local election clerk and our office. If voters suspect misinformation they should report it to misinformation@michigan.gov.Related: Voting by mail in Michigan for 2020 General Election: What to know