Lansing, Michigan – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel ended her annual holiday consumer protection campaign with a reminder that the guidance she gave over the last month is meant to keep people safe long after the holidays are over. The campaign focused on the everyday risks that consumers face, such as internet frauds and data security, and showed how swiftly fraud tactics may change over the course of the year.
Between late November and the end of December, the series sent out daily alerts about different problems Michiganders can face whether shopping, traveling, or managing their money.
The Attorney General’s office said the purpose was to raise awareness at a period when frauds are most common and give consumers a permanent reference.
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Each entry in this year’s campaign can be found in the list below:
November 28: Credit Card Safety – Keep Your Accounts Safe
November 29: Credit and Debit Card Surcharges
December 1: Website Spoofing – Scammers Disguised as Trusted Brand
December 2: Wise Charitable Giving
December 3: Prevent Identity Theft: Protect Your Mail and Packages from Porch Pirates
December 4: Computer Ransomware – What Is It?
December 5: Travel Tips
December 8: Phishing Scams
December 9: Michigan’s Scanner Law – The Shopping Reform and Modernization Act
December 10: Puppy Scams
December 11: Artificial Intelligence and Scams
December 12: Credit Cards – Did I Charge That?
December 15: Payment Apps and Scams
December 16: Online Shopping – Be Smart, Stay Safe
December 17: Grandparents Scam
December 18: Facebook Marketplace Scam
December 19: Drop-Shipping: What you Need to Know Before You Buy or Sell Online
December 22: Business Sudden Closure – Protect Yourself
December 23: Don’t Fall Victim to Gift Card Scams
December 24: Gifting Circles Good, Gifting Schemes Bad: How to Spot an Illegal Pyramid Scheme
December 26: Avoiding Unhappy Returns – Returning Merchandise Bought Online or In the Store
December 29: Data Breaches: What to do Next
December 30: File a Complaint
December 31: Free Credit Reports: What Consumers Should Know
“These consumer alerts are available year-round to help you avoid scams and protect your personal information, and I want to thank my talented team for their creativity and dedication to keeping residents informed,” Nessel said.
“My office will continue to provide resources throughout the year to help Michiganders stay ahead of fraudsters.”
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As part of that effort, the Attorney General recently launched a new consumer protection social media account, Michigan Consumer Protection (@MIConsumerWatch), designed to serve as a central hub for scam alerts, tips, and educational resources. Residents can also contact the Consumer Protection Team by mail, phone, or through the online complaint form to report concerns and seek assistance.
To file a complaint with the Department of Attorney General, residents are encouraged to contact:
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