Fighting Back Against Fraud in Michigan

A man posing as a bank employee stole $40,000 in cash from an 84-year-old woman in a Detroit suburb several months ago. The case captured media attention because local police — alerted by the woman’s daughters — caught the suspect as he arrived at her doorstep to take another $25,000.

It is one of many stories of fraud that regularly appear on the local TV news, says Brenda Price, an AARP Michigan associate state director for community outreach. That’s why when AARP gives fraud prevention presentations, participants often nod their heads knowingly.

“They’re in agreement, or they will step up and say, ‘This happened to me,’” Price says.

In 2024, consumers in Michigan reported fraud losses totaling $204 million — up from $60 million in 2020, Federal Trade Commission data shows. Officials note that many fraud cases go unreported, so the real losses are likely far higher.

To combat the growing threat, AARP Michigan this spring is hosting educational sessions on how to spot and avoid the latest scams. Included will be a Fraud Watch Network virtual event on Friday, April 18, as part of its ongoing Money Matters series. It will also hold free document shredding events in May and June in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Lansing. It’s a chance to declutter while simultaneously safely disposing of sensitive documents, such as old bank statements, that contain personal information, Price says.

Jim DeLine, a 71-year-old AARP volunteer who gives fraud prevention talks, says he is constantly updating his presentations with information on current trends. Lately, he’s been warning about criminals pretending to be ministers and asking victims to give gift cards to support church staff, says DeLine, who will help lead a fraud session at a movie theater in Jackson on Sunday, May 4. He also shares stories about criminals meeting victims in person — like what happened to the woman who lost $40,000.

Michigan has seen a rise in multiple types of fraud, including extortion, investment fraud, tech-support scams and personal data breaches, according to a spokesperson with the FBI Detroit field office. Increasingly, criminals are using digital currency to facilitate those schemes. Criminals often target older adults and direct them to deposit or transfer money via cryptocurrency ATMs, the FBI spokesperson notes.

The number of cryptocurrency scams involving older Michigan residents increased from 141 instances in 2022, totaling nearly $14 million in losses, to 262 instances in 2023, with roughly $24 million in losses, FBI data shows.

Older adults “have historically been the target [of fraud] and continue to be. That is why we focus on it — because we want people to be financially secure,” Price says.

A 2023 University of Michigan poll found that of 551 Michiganders age 50 to 80, about one-third of respondents had experienced identity theft or another type of fraud in the previous two years.

Advocating for more protections

AARP Michigan is also pushing for policies that help state and local governments, businesses and other groups learn about and prevent fraud.

It does this work as part of the Elder Abuse Task Force, which was created in 2019 by Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) to fight fraud, neglect and exploitation by family members and caregivers, says Melissa Seifert, a campaign strategic advisor for AARP’s national office.

Several years ago, the task force helped get the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act passed. It requires financial institutions in Michigan to train employees to look for and intervene if there are signs of possible fraud or exploitation.

During the 2025 legislative session, the task force is pushing for state lawmakers to increase the financial penalties and jail time for people convicted of fraud, Seifert says.

To get details about AARP Michigan’s upcoming fraud events, go to aarpmi.org/events. Individuals who have been targeted by criminals can call the Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. It’s free and open to anyone.

Carina Storrs, a New York–based journalist, covers aging, health policy, infectious disease and other issues.

More on Fraud

• 10 Red Flags Your Tax Preparer is a Fraud
• 15 Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud
• How, Why and When to Check (or Freeze) Your Credit