Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is advising residents to be aware of a scam involving fake letters about overdue tax bills.
The fake letters claim the recipient has an overdue bill and say they need to call the number listed to resolve the tax debt.
If the recipient doesn’t make a payment, the letter threatens to seize their property.
Nessel’s office says the letters include personal information pulled from public records and an “official looking ‘DR-1024′ form number," making them look legitimate.
The Michigan Department of Treasury does send letters to taxpayers, but they will:
- Have state of Michigan letterhead with the names of the governor and state treasurer
- Be sent through the U.S. Postal Service
- Give multiple options for settling debt
- Outline taxpayer rights
So, what should you do if you receive one of these letters and can’t tell if it’s real or not?
“If you receive a suspicious letter, do not panic,” Nessel said. “Call the Michigan Department of Treasury directly to confirm the information in the letter. The Treasury Department will never use aggressive tactics and will give you multiple ways to resolve a debt. It’s crucial to stay vigilant and take steps to protect your financial information. If you believe you are a victim of a scam, do not hesitate to contact my office.”
You can file a complaint on the state’s website.
Nessel also said government agencies won’t do any of the following:
- Promise to increase benefits or fix an issue if a fee is paid;
- Threaten arrest or legal action unless money is sent immediately; or
- Demand payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency, or cash sent by mail.
