LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Due to a high amount of phone calls regarding improper reporting, Attorney General Dana Nessel is providing some guidance on when the Consumer Protection Hotline should be called.
According to Nessel, the hotline is being flooded with phone calls regarding individual citizens in violation of Governor Whitmer’s “Stay Home” order. The hotline should only be used for instances of price gouging or improper business.
“These are unprecedented times and my office is working with Gov. Whitmer’s office, local law enforcement agencies and other parties to ensure these executive orders are being followed,” Nessel said. “The orders are in place to protect the public health and welfare of Michigan’s residents, and consequences will result to those found to be in willful violation. By working together through this public health emergency and staying home, we can help slow the spread of COVID-19 across the state.”
Nessel says the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection intake team will continue to receive consumer reports of price-gouging and scams, which has recently been expanded with new agents.
Those can be made online or by calling the office’s tip line at 877-765-8388.
Anyone seeking interpretation of an executive order should review the Frequently Asked Questions on the state’s website devoted to COVID-19. Weblinks to those pages and additional information can also be found through the Attorney General’s website.
If an answer is not found, requests for an interpretation of an executive order can be emailed. However, citizens sending an email should expect a delay.
For other violations of the Governor’s executive orders, Nessel says local law enforcement agencies should be contacted instead.
“This situation is fluid and rapidly changing, and we appreciate your patience,” Nessel said. “We’re all in this together and we are counting on every resident to do everything they can to stay safe, stay healthy and stay home.”
In Kalamazoo, Sheriff Richard Fuller recently spoke to the public to clarify what “essential travel” means.
“We’ve had several questions, I would like to address the fact that there are no law enforcement agencies stopping traffic, asking them for a letter or telling them that they’re not essential travel,” Fuller said. “We’re leaving this up to our citizens. Our citizens do a pretty good job of making sure they follow the rules, but that’s why we are trying to give you some things to think about.”
Fuller understands that some situations are unique and some people will need to travel at certain times, but Fuller says using caution is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus. Where applicable, try to have one family member going to the grocery store once a week, one gas station trip a week, and other instances of reduced travel.
“We want you to understand that it’s important that you take care of your families, and one way we suggest is limit your travel,” Fuller said. “But we also know that there are children exchanges, certain doctor appointments that are still going on, and we want you to still do those things, but take your precautions. Limit your travel.”
Fuller says that the Sheriff’s Department will try to keep the public informed as much as possible through periodic video webinars. Fuller maintains that the department is not stopping vehicles and asking for letters.
