LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Attorney General Dana Nessel is reminding Michigan citizens to be aware of scams during the COVID-19 outbreak as new ones are continuing to surface.
Nessel says that scammers are now masquerading as representatives from at least two different local health departments. These scammers are calling residents to offer medication and at-home COVID-19 tests while asking for their Medicaid and Medicare numbers for billing purposes.
So far, reports of these scams are coming from the Ionia County Health Department and the Benzie Leelanau Public Health Department, which prompted Nessel to launch a Consumer Alert Tuesday.
“Scammers are still on a quest to take advantage of this public health crisis to gain access to your private information. As we continue to work together to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I want to remind all Michiganders to stay on high alert for scam calls, emails and text or direct messages on social media,” Nessel said. “Do not hesitate to contact our Consumer Protection Team to report a scam, file a complaint, or get additional information.”
Citizens are warned that scammers often use a process known as “spoofing” – when a call appears to be coming from a legitimate government phone number. The caller may also sound professional and be very persuasive.
In this case, the Benzie Leelanau Public Health Department received multiple calls from residents in the 248 and 989 area codes asking about the calls. The department is in the 231 area code.
Anyone who receives a phone call they suspect to be a scam should hang up the phone. No one should give out personal information to an unsolicited caller.
To make a report about potential scams, price-gouging and any other violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team by filing a complaint online or by calling 877-765-8388.
This is only the latest scam in Michigan to come as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Last week, Nessel issued a cease and desist order to two different West Michigan businesses who were selling phony coronavirus patches.
Meanwhile, the Better Business Bureau of West Michigan has released a comprehensive list of known COVID-19 scams.
