Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a warning to residents about a scam involving fraudulent tax debt collection letters. These letters falsely claim the recipient owes overdue taxes and instruct them to call a specific number to settle the supposed debt, threatening property seizure if payment is not made.

The scam letter may seem authentic due to its use of personal information obtained from public records and an official-looking form number "DR-1024." However, the Michigan Department of Treasury communicates with taxpayers through official letters on state letterhead, including the names of the governor and state treasurer. These legitimate letters are sent via U.S. Postal Service, offering multiple options for resolving outstanding debts and outlining taxpayer rights.

"If you receive a suspicious letter, do not panic," Nessel advised. "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."

Nessel has reissued her Government Imposter Scams alert, urging consumers who suspect they have received fraudulent mailers to report them to both the Federal Trade Commission and her Consumer Protection Team.

She also reminded consumers that government agencies will not promise increased benefits or issue fixes in exchange for fees, threaten arrest or legal action without immediate payment, or demand payments through gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, cryptocurrency, or cash by mail.

To file a complaint with the Attorney General's office:

Consumer Protection Team

P.O. Box 30213

Lansing, MI 48909

517-335-7599

Fax: 517-241-3771

Toll-free: 877-765-8388

An online complaint form is also available.