Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today issued a warning about telemarketing scams that impersonate government officials.

The scams try to obtain personal or financial information from consumers. The scams tend to target Michigan seniors and claim to be from the U.S. Department of Treasury, Michigan Department of Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.

The State of Michigan Consumer Protection Team advises consumers that neither the State of Michigan nor the federal government will ever contact them via phone to confirm or request personal information.

“Con artists behind these types of phone scams find ways to take advantage of people’s trust,” said Schuette. “I encourage consumers everywhere to educate themselves in order to avoid becoming a victim of a telemarketing scam.”

Recent telemarketing scam complaints filed in Michigan include a request for bank account or credit card information from an individual claiming to be with the U.S. Department of Treasury. In exchange for the consumers personal financial information, the caller offered a $7,000 grant.

Past scams in Michigan have included requests for Social Security numbers, home addresses or insurance information.

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