New ‘Urgent’ Scam Targets Michigan Tax Refunds With Fake Texts

Ah, scammers. Just when you think they've run out of ways to ruin your day, they invent a new one. The Michigan Department of Treasury has issued a new warning regarding a fresh text message scam making the rounds.

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Spoiler alert—it's not about your long-lost Nigerian uncle leaving you millions. This one is eerily official-looking and may cost more than a few Michiganders their savings.

How the New Michigan 'Urgent' Text Scam Works

Here's how it works: you get an "urgent" text, supposedly from the Michigan Department of Treasury, saying your tax refund is ready but you need to "verify" your banking info. Translation: some cybercriminal in sweatpants is hoping you'll panic and hand over your account details faster than a Michigander going to Meijer when there's snow in the forecast.

What the Michigan Treasury Actually Does

Let's be clear: the Michigan Department of Treasury does not text you for bank info. Ever. They, and every other government agency, stick to old-school snail mail—because nothing says "official government business" quite like a letter that takes three days to show up.

If you get one of these scammy texts, do not reply, do not click, and do not pass Go. Just delete it and move on with life, unless you're genuinely concerned about the status of a legitimate refund, call the official Individual Income Tax Information Line at 517-636-4486.

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Remember: the only thing the Michigan Department of Treasury wants from you is your taxes, not your checking account login information. For more legit tax information, visit Michigan.gov/taxes. Stay sharp, the scammers are getting bolder—but thankfully, they're still not that clever.