Michigan Attorney General Warns Residents About AI-Powered Phone Scams

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents about a growing threat from fraudsters using artificial intelligence to create convincing scams that can fool even careful consumers.

As part of National Consumer Protection Week, Nessel has reissued her AI and scams alert, warning Michigan residents about the misuse of AI technology to create realistic deepfake audio and video scams.

"Fraudsters are increasingly using AI to make their scams more convincing," Nessel said.

"The best way to combat these schemes is to be aware of the warning signs, verify the caller's identity, and never rush to send money if you are pressured."

Scammers are now able to clone a person's voice using audio data collected from public social media posts or videos.

In these calls, the fraudsters can spoof the phone number of a loved one to impersonate them in distress and make urgent demands for money.

The attorney general's office recommends several preventative measures residents can take to protect themselves:

First, establish a family verification phrase using a code word or phrase that only your family knows to confirm identity during suspicious calls.

Do not trust caller ID, as scammers can spoof phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate.

If something feels off, hang up and call the person back using a known number.

Be especially wary of unusual payment requests, as scammers often demand payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers...methods that are hard to trace or reverse.

Warning signs of these scams include high-pressure tactics to act immediately, use of fear or enticing offers, or demands for sensitive information or unusual payment methods.

Anyone who has fallen victim to a scam should notify local law enforcement and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.

Victims should also report fraudulent charges to their bank, credit card company, or payment app immediately, and contact the issuer of any gift card or money transfer service used.

Residents can file complaints with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team by mail at P.O. Box 30213 Lansing, MI 48909, by phone at 517-335-7599 or toll-free at 877-765-8388, by fax at 517-241-3771, or through the online complaint form at the Michigan Attorney General's website.

Frequently Asked Questions About AI Phone Scams in Michigan

How can I tell if a phone call is an AI scam?

Look for warning signs like high-pressure tactics to act immediately, urgent demands for money, requests for unusual payment methods like cryptocurrency or gift cards, and calls that just don't sound quite right.

If the caller claims to be a family member in distress but something feels off, hang up and call them back using a number you know is theirs.

What should I do if I think I've been targeted by an AI phone scam?

First, do not send any money or provide personal information.

Report the incident to local law enforcement and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.

If you shared any financial information, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to protect your accounts.

How can Michigan families protect themselves from AI voice cloning scams?

Create a family verification phrase or code word that only your family knows.

If someone calls claiming to be a family member in trouble, ask for the code word.

Never trust caller ID alone, as scammers can easily spoof phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate.

Establish a family protocol for emergencies so everyone knows how to verify real distress calls.