Michigan SCAM ALERT: Do NOT Trust Your Caller ID

Here's the situation: Your phone rings, and you instinctively check the caller ID, only to see that it's a call from the Social Security Administration (SSA). You answer, only to have the voice on the other end tell you that your benefits will cease UNLESS you pay. What's more, they want to set up a time and place to meet you in person so you can pay the balance owed. This is the exact scenario being used to rob Michiganders of their hard-earned money.

Related: DO NOT ANSWER Unknown Calls From These Area Codes in Michigan

These increasingly bold criminals also use similar tactics while impersonating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Medicare. The supposed IRS agent will claim you owe back taxes that need to be paid immediately, while the Medicare imposter will claim they need you to give them your existing Medicare number to send you a new card.

How to Spotting the Latest Michigan SSA, IRS, and Medicare Imposter Scams

Regardless of the organization they are pretending to be from, these perpetrators do an excellent job of appearing as though they are legit, whether calling, texting, or sending emails. No matter how convincing they may be, do not reply.

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While these delinquents may use high-pressure techniques to convince you they represent an agency, rest assured they are scammers. Per the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), government agencies will NOT call, email, or text you to ask for money or personal information. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from these organizations asking for money, hang up.

Reporting Scams and Fraud in Michigan

While refusing to take calls and not replying to emails or texts from scammers is the first step, the final step is to report them. You can report these criminals to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Related: FEDS Warn Michigan Residents: DO NOT Carry This in Your Wallet

Now that you know, pass this along to the people in your life who may need it. Let's look out for each other, Michigan, and remember, don't trust your caller ID.