We talk a lot on the blog about scam prevention. It’s an unfortunate reality that scammers work tirelessly to separate older adults from their hard-earned money through scams and fraud. In 2024, scams accounted for a loss of $2.4 billion among Americans ages 60 and older; this was an increase from $1.9 billion in 2023. National Consumer Protection Week is a good time to explore ways to protect yourself as a consumer, learn common scam warning signs, and share the information you learn with your loved ones to decrease their chances of falling victim to a scam. Today’s blog post will look at ways to protect yourself from scammers and from human error.  

 

Action Step: Stay Informed 

• Look over receipts before leaving the store to make sure you were charged correctly for your purchases.  
• Read your monthly bills when they come in and check for errors or unusual charges. 
• Order an annual free credit report and see if there are errors or anything that looks wrong. The Michigan Attorney General recommends annualcreditreport.com (you can also order a report from them by calling 877-322-8228). Note: you will be asked to share your social security number. 
• ALWAYS read the fine print before signing anything and don’t be afraid to ask questions.  

 

Action Step: Know Your Rights 

• The Michigan Consumer Protection Act protects customers/consumers in Michigan from a long list of unfair practices. Below is just a partial list. You can read the full act by clicking here.  
  • Deception 
    • Including making it seem as though someone sponsors a product, misrepresenting where something came from (e.g., suggesting that something was made in Michigan when it wasn’t), or selling something as new when it’s actually used.  
  • Overcharging/price gouging (charging a price “grossly in excess” of what the item is priced elsewhere). 
  • Taking advantage of vulnerable populations 
    • Including treating someone unfairly or exploiting them because they have a disability, have trouble reading, or do not understand the language of the agreement.  
  • Theft 
    • Keeping a consumer’s money after the consumer cancelled or terminated the agreement (and all terms were met). 
  • Withholding information 
    • Advertising something as free without sharing the full terms and conditions.  
    • Advertising something at a free or lower cost after a rebate without sharing the full terms and conditions.  

• In 2011 a new scanner law was introduced. 
  • Prices for items must be clearly marked in a store.  
  • If a scanner charges more than the displayed price and you were accidentally overcharged, there are steps you can take: 
  • Contact the store/seller within 30 days (either in person or in writing). You do NOT need to tell someone before you leave the store (although the sooner you notice and report it, the better). 
  • The seller has to give you a refund of the price difference between what you paid and the display price. This has to be paid to you within two days of being informed of the overcharge. 
  • The seller can also pay a bonus of “ten times the difference” of the price difference (no more than $5.00).  
  • If you DON’T get a refund, you can hire a lawyer or represent yourself in small claims court. 

• Beginning in 2013, if a store/merchant in Michigan charges extra for using a credit card, this has to be posted in writing near where payment is taken. The receipt must show the exact amount of the surcharge. Online sellers have to post this information under payment or credit card information.  
  • Click here for more information about consumer protection laws in Michigan. 

• The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition has information about your rights as a DTE customer.  

 

Action Step: Know Popular Scams 

• Sign up for the Michigan Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Alerts (you can also search their consumer alerts on their website) 
• Bookmark AARP’s Scam-Tracking Map to see popular scams in your area.  
• If you’re buying online from a new website, make sure they’re legitimate. Can you find an address? What comes up when you search the website name? Fake “Going Out of Business” scams are becoming popular- especially online.  

 

Action Step: Know Next Steps if You’ve Been Scammed 

• Call the bank/wire transfer company/PayPal/etc. to report the charge as fraud and see if they can reverse the charge or get your money back (read more here). 
• Call the AARP Scams & Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360 if you suspect a scam or that you’ve been scammed.  
• AARP offers free peer support groups for victims of scams (note: most groups are held virtually). 
• Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan.  
• File a customer complaint on the Attorney General’s website.