DIFS Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of International Fraud Awareness Week with Tips to Help Consumers Avoid Falling Victim to Scams

Media Contact: [email protected] Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442, Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 14, 2025

(LANSING, MICH) The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of International Fraud Awareness Week, observed November 16-22, by providing tips to help Michiganders protect their personal and financial information from scammers.

"Observing International Fraud Awareness Week is a time to commit ourselves to taking steps to avoid falling victim to scams," said DIFS Director Anita Fox. "As fraud schemes continue to modernize and appear increasingly authentic, the very best thing consumers can do to avoid fraud is to never give out information to anyone who contacts them, no matter how legitimate the request seems. Michiganders who suspect fraud can report it online or call DIFS at 877-999-6442 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m."

To avoid falling victim to fraud, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Do not provide any information to anyone calling, writing, emailing, texting, or messaging you on social media, even if the person contacting you says it is for "verification purposes." This information should be provided only when you have initiated contact with the person or business using contact information from their website, statement, or other official documentation.
• Beware of urgency. If the person contacting you says there is a problem that needs to be resolved immediately, do not respond. Instead, call the phone number you know will get you to someone who can be trusted to verify issues with your accounts. Do not call phone numbers provided in text messages or voicemails by the person contacting you, and never reply to unsolicited text messages, emails, or social media messages.
• Protect passwords and security codes. Do not provide passwords under any circumstances and take other precautions to protect your accounts, such as multifactor authentication that verifies your identify by having a security code sent to you via text message or email. Other multifactor authentication measures include a scan of your fingerprint, retina, or face on a mobile device or passcode via an authentication app.
• Do NOT cash checks from unverified sources and be on the lookout for overpayment or refund scams. This is a very common fraud in which scammers send you a check for more than the amount they owe you for a purchase or for a refund from an entity they claim to represent. Commonly, the scammer will alert you, ask you to cash the check and keep what is owed to you, and request you to send them the balance. What you will find later is that the check you received is fake, and you are now on the hook to repay all the funds to the financial institution where you cashed the check.

Established by the Association for Certified Fraud Examiners in 2000, International Fraud Awareness Week was created as a dedicated time to raise awareness and educate consumers about fraud and preventative steps to take to protect personal and financial information.

Michiganders who suspect fraud in the insurance and financial sectors can contact the DIFS Fraud investigation Unit (FIU). DIFS works with the Attorney General and other state, county, and local law enforcement to investigate these cases and refer them for prosecution. You can make a report to the FIU safely, easily, and, in most cases, anonymously by calling 877-999-6442 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by visiting Michigan.gov/ReportFraud2DIFS.

The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DIFS or follow the Department on Facebook, X, or LinkedIn.

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