Michigan Robocalls are automated phone calls used to deliver pre-recorded messages to selected Michigan residents. Autodialers send out these calls to residents, who on answering such calls, hear recorded messages. Robocalls are legitimate telemarketing tools but have been adopted by fraudsters for malicious purposes. Charities and political campaign organizations also use robocalls in Michigan for legitimate purposes. In recent times, there has been a spike in the number of robocalls received by Michigan residents. Phone scammers use robocalls to cheat Michiganders out of their money and steal valuable information. The Michigan Attorney General’s Office has strict regulations in place to control the use of robocalls and curb the menace of robocall scams in the state.
What are Michigan Robocall Scams?
Michigan robocall scams are the fraudulent activities by fraudsters in the state using robocalls. The wide-reaching ability and cheap costs of these calls make robocalling attractive to phone scammers. Fraudsters favor robocall spoofing. They spoof phone numbers of reputable entities to fool their targets. Spoofed robocalls make scam calls appear legitimate on recipients’ Caller ID information display. This is why it has been challenging to combat robocall scams in the United States. However, doing a reverse phone number search can help you differentiate a robocall from a live call.
Recent statistics show that over 110 million robocalls were placed to Michiganders in October 2020 alone, with 42% of those calls originating from phone scammers. Michiganders received an estimated total of 1.3 billion robocalls in 2019.
How are Robocalls Used in Michigan Scams?
Phone scammers use auto-dialers to place random calls and defraud targeted Michiganders. Such robocalls convey messages capable of misleading residents. Some robocalls instruct call recipients to press a button and speak with live operators. Such calls are out to fish out active numbers for subsequent scams. Others, purportedly from government agencies, leave call-back numbers and ask called parties to get back to them or risk facing grave consequences. Calling the numbers left connects call recipients directly with fraudsters. The scammers may threaten arrest for some alleged offenses and demand fines to cancel such arrests. Some of these scam robocalls are also out to obtain targets’ confidential information for identity and financial thefts.
The Attorney General’s Office warns Michiganders never to disclose their sensitive data over unsolicited phone calls. Residents can ascertain if inbound calls are robocalls and avoid scams using reverse phone lookup tools.
Does Michigan Have Anti-Robocall Laws?
The surge of robocalls in Michigan in recent years prompted branches of the government to enact laws in a bid to curtail robocalls abuse. Some of these laws are:
Michigan Home Solicitation Sales Act (MHSSA)
In 2002, Representative Jennifer Faunce sponsored an amendment bill for the Michigan Home Solicitation Sales Act of 1971. Having passed through various readings on the floors of the House and Senate, it was approved and became public law in December 2002.
The MHSSA called for the creation of a Michigan Do Not Call List. However, the Michigan Legislature adopted the National Do Not Call Registry instead of creating a separate list. Signing up on the National Do Not Call Registry automatically places residents on the Michigan Do Not Call List. Michiganders can register online or dial 1 (888) 382-1222 from the number they want to put on the register. Legitimate telemarketers who place unsolicited calls to numbers on the DNC list risk violation penalties.
The amended MHSSA prohibits the use of recorded messages (in parts or whole) for telephone solicitations. It also forbids the manipulation of caller IDs for fraudulent practices. The Act stipulates that persons who engage in robocalling must state their names and the names of the organizations they represent. They must also state their contact phone numbers and purpose of calling before proceeding with phone solicitations.
Michigan Penal Code
Section 750-540e of the Michigan Penal Code criminalizes the use of telecommunication services to annoy, harm, or disturb the peace of other persons. It forbids telemarketers from placing unsolicited calls to residential phone numbers between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. Persons or entities who violate this code commit a misdemeanor. They may pay cash fines of up to $1000, or serve jail terms (not more than six months), or both, as deemed fit by a reputable court of law.
Are there Special Requirements for Robocalls in Michigan?
Despite the robocalls regulations in Michigan, individuals or businesses can still make telephone solicitations provided they satisfy the following requirements:
- Telemarketers must obtain the express consent of residents before placing commercial phone calls to them.
- Telephone solicitations are only allowed to residential phone numbers between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
- Persons using robocalls must state their names, organizations they represent, and leave call-back numbers. They must also mention the reason for calling at the beginning of their calls.
- Telemarketers must not misinform residents about their products or services.
There are, however, exemptions to these rules. Some entities can place automated calls in Michigan without obtaining call recipients’ consent. They include:
- Charity organizations.
- Political groups.
- Calls for flight cancellation and school resumption.
- Public safety agencies.
- Businesses that have previous relationships with call recipients, unless they have asked such companies to remove them from their call list.
How Do I Stop Robocalls?
The proliferation of robocalls in Michigan and its cost to residents is a cause for worry. Besides government efforts at combating this menace, Michigan residents must make frantic attempts to reduce the inundation of robocalls. You can take the following steps to minimize the number of robocalls coming through your phone:
- Reject calls from unknown phone numbers. They will leave messages for you if it is urgent.
- Use reverse phone lookup applications to identify robocalls.
- Hang up your phone if you answer any call and realize it is a robocall. Do not respond to instructions that ask you to press a key to opt out of such a call. It is a ploy to confirm if your number is active, and acting on their instructions will earn you more robocalls.
- Do not share personal information with any individual or agency over a phone call you did not initiate.
- Inquire about call-blocking tools from your network provider and use them if affordable.
- Download third-party call-blocking applications for blocking identified robocall numbers.
- Enlist your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry to keep legitimate telemarketers away.
- Call the Michigan Attorney General’s Office on (877) 765-8388 or file an online complaint with them to report any identified robocall number.