From listing fake home rentals to impersonating bank officials, scams are becoming more common and increasingly convincing across Southeast Michigan. According to recent reports from the AARP Scam Tracker, residents in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties are being targeted in increasingly sophisticated ways, often with devastating financial and emotional consequences.
The good news? With a little awareness of the types of scams happening now and some practical tips on how to avoid them, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.
What’s Happening Near You?
Rental Scams have left local residents out of cash after paying application fees for homes that didn’t even exist. In one case, a fake rental listing included photos and details copied from a real website.
Elder Fraud remains a top concern. One report involved a scammer pretending to be an employee of a medical alert company, offering a “free” life alert system, but the real intent was to capture credit card information and personal data from the senior.
Bank Impersonation Scams are on the rise. Residents reported calls and texts from people posing as representatives from major banks, saying an account had been compromised or a suspicious charge occurred. These scammers ask for passwords, account access codes, or suggest moving funds to “safe” accounts, which are actually controlled by the scammers.
Spoofed Calls from Utilities and Law Enforcement have caused panic. One resident received a call that appeared to be from their water department, claiming a massive leak was draining 700 gallons per minute at night. Another reported a call about a jailed family member needing immediate bail money. These scams often pressure victims into sending funds quickly, often via wire transfer or cryptocurrency ATMs.
Tech Support Scams continue to surface. One victim was told via email that they owed $499 for antivirus software they never ordered. These messages aim to scare people into calling a fake support line, which then leads to remote access to computer or bank accounts.
Online Shopping and Facebook Scams have led residents to unknowingly purchase products from overseas sellers who don’t honor returns or simply vanish after receiving payment.
How to Protect Yourself
- Pause and verify. Never rush to act on calls or messages that demand immediate payment or sensitive information.
- Use official contact channels. Visit the organization’s real website or call their public phone number to confirm anything suspicious.
- Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof numbers, including government agencies and banks.
- Limit what you share. Never give out account numbers, passcodes, or your Social Security number to unsolicited callers.
- Discuss with others. Talk to a trusted friend or family member before acting on unexpected requests.
Where to Get Help
If you’ve been targeted or think you might have been scammed, reach out to:
- Michigan Attorney General Consumer Protection Division at michigan.gov/ag or 877-765-8388
- AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or 877-908-3360
- Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker
Together, we can stop scams before they start. Stay alert, talk about it, and report suspicious activity. Your awareness is your best defense.
Learn more about Oakland County’s Information Security Office here. Visit their Citizen Cyber Training portal for online education and online cybersecurity resources to help understand risks and be better prepared for a more secure online experience.
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