Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel notified residents of four consumer protection alerts ahead of the holidays, warning that scammers remain active even after gifts have been unwrapped.
The holiday consumer protection campaign highlights four ways scammers may try to trick people.
Sudden business closures can cause plenty of suspicion, especially if a company closes services quickly with little evidence of its existence left behind. Nessel encourages consumers to stay vigilant and research companies and items they plan to purchase.
Gift card scams have become popular during the holiday season. The attorney general says if someone demands payment in the form of gift cards, it is almost certainly a scam. Legitimate businesses and government services do not request payment through gift cards.
The campaign also reminds consumers that gifting circles, often promising big returns, are illegal and can financially harm participants.
Shoppers should beware of stores that suddenly change return policies. Keep receipts of purchases and know what a store’s return policy states.
“Fraudsters are relentless in their pursuit of your money and personal information,” Nessel said.
Those who suspect their holiday purchase may involve a scam should submit cases to MIConsumerWatch on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X and LinkedIn.
Comments