Michigan – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has formally notified a Texas-based company, MTVRS, LLC, to either correct or shut down its misleading ticketing websites or face legal action under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. The notice accuses the company of tricking visitors into thinking they are purchasing official tickets to popular Mackinac Island attractions, including Fort Mackinac and ferry services to the island.
“Mackinac Island welcomes more than a million visitors each year, and they deserve to know that the tickets they purchase online will get them onto the ferry and into popular attractions,” said Nessel. “My office remains committed to pursuing bad actors who attempt to take advantage of Michigan residents and visitors.”
Sites Mimic Official Sources and Add Unnecessary Fees
The Attorney General’s office alleges that the website fortmackinactickets.com, operated by MTVRS, is designed to resemble the official site for Fort Mackinac tickets, mackinacparks.com, which is run by the state agency responsible for park preservation. MTVRS allegedly uses a deceptive logo and presents a user interface that misleads consumers into believing they are purchasing from the official source. The site also reportedly charges inflated ticket prices.
Although the MTVRS site contains a disclaimer that it is not affiliated with the Fort, the disclaimer is placed far down the page—below multiple opportunities for users to purchase tickets. According to the Attorney General’s notice, this placement fails to meet transparency requirements set by Michigan’s consumer protection laws.
Another website, mackinacticketing.com, is also under scrutiny. This site reportedly misleads visitors looking to buy ferry tickets to Mackinac Island by copying ferry schedules and using the address of Shepler’s Ferry, a well-known and legitimate service with its official website at sheplersferry.com. The complaint notes that MTVRS charges an extra $7.95 fee and then uses customer payment information to buy tickets from Shepler’s actual website—effectively acting as a hidden middleman while creating confusion for buyers.
Confusion at the Dock and the Fort
Both Shepler’s Ferry and the operators of Fort Mackinac have reported multiple recent cases in which travelers arrived with only confirmation emails from MTVRS, believing they had already secured admission. Unfortunately, these emails were not valid tickets and did not allow the guests to board the ferry or access the Fort, resulting in frustrated and disappointed visitors.
Deadline for Compliance or Legal Action
MTVRS has been given until October 6 to either bring the websites into compliance with Michigan law or take them down entirely. The company must also meet with the Michigan Department of Attorney General to discuss a possible voluntary assurance of compliance agreement.
If MTVRS fails to respond appropriately, the Attorney General’s office has stated it will proceed with legal action seeking an injunction and civil penalties under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act.
Attorney General Nessel’s office has reinforced its commitment to protecting Michigan consumers and tourists from deceptive business practices that erode public trust and harm local tourism-driven economies.