Lansing, MI - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is sharing an update after recent flooding throughout metro Detroit created opportunities for price-gouging and scams related to the cleanup.
In response, Nessel re-issued three consumer alerts to help consumers know their rights and responsibilities in the following areas:
- contesting unreasonable towing fees;
- researching home repair contractors and offers to avoid being scammed; and
- recognizing water-damaged vehicles that may end up on the market.
Last week, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, which will bring much-needed federal funding to the area to assist in ongoing cleanup efforts following flooding last month. Additional flooding occurred Friday in some areas.
Thus far, the Department has received fewer than a dozen complaints related to repairing the damage caused by the flooding. In the weeks ahead, the Department expects complaints to increase as people work through repairing the damage to their homes caused by the flooding.
The bulk of the initial complaints were related to the immediate effects of the flooding, including issues related to auto towing and storage, as well as property damage. The Department has followed up on complaints received and is in the process of ensuring consumers are being properly treated. If additional action is necessary, the Department will work with the proper agencies to ensure accountability.
“I’m encouraged by our relatively low complaint volume thus far and credit it to the fact that consumers are educating themselves to avoid being taken advantage of and are vigilantly reporting prices and practices that concern them,” Nessel said. “Our Consumer Protection team is taking a proactive approach to such complaints that sends a message to bad actors who thought they might take advantage of this situation. We will continue to advocate for consumers, and I encourage anyone who believes they’ve been wronged to call my office. We’re here to protect you and fight for you.”
To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:
Consumer Protection Division P.O. Box 30213 Lansing, MI 48909 517-335-7599 Fax: 517-241-3771 Toll free: 877-765-8388 Online complaint form
Your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. The Department provides a library of resources for consumers to review anytime online on a variety of topics. Nessel’s Consumer Alerts, which cover a wide range of topics, can also be reviewed on the Department’s website.