Michigan authorities warn of porch pirates, AI phone scams this holiday season

Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning Michiganders of a heightened risk of porch pirates amid increased online shopping.

It’s the holiday season, which means spending is on the rise as Michiganders race to buy gifts for friends and family. Unfortunately, this time of year also sees an increase in certain types of crimes, especially porch theft.

“Porch piracy,” as it is commonly called, is when someone steals a delivered package from someone’s front door before the intended recipient can get to it. In more brazen acts, porch pirates have been known to follow delivery vehicles and take packages the moment they hit someone’s front door.

But Attorney General Dana Nessel says there are some safeguards Michiganders can employ to deter porch pirates:

• Use secure delivery options: Ship packages to a secure location, such as Amazon lockers, FedEx offices, or your workplace if permitted.
• Improve visibility: Keep your porch well-lit and consider adding motion-sensing lighting.
• Create the illusion of presence: Even when you’re not home, make it look like someone is present by leaving lights or music on.
• Invest in technology: Install a porch camera or motion detector that can alert you to activity and allow you to monitor deliveries in real time.

Another good idea is to use delivery service tracking apps, like the US Postal Service’s free Informed Delivery tool, which offers digital previews of incoming mail and allows users to track packages, manage delivery instructions, and reschedule deliveries. 

“Whether it’s a package or a piece of mail, unattended deliveries are easy targets for porch pirates,” Nessel said in a statement. “By planning ahead and taking security measures, you can make sure your well-deserved gifts and packages reach you safely while keeping thieves from stealing your holiday cheer.”

The dangers of porch piracy can extend beyond just losing your property. Nessel warns that mail and package theft are leading causes of identity theft crimes—thieves can use pre-approved credit offers to apply for credit in someone else’s name. The AG recommends opting out of pre-approved credit offers by visiting the official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website or by calling 888-567-8688.

AI phone scams

Nessel also warned about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by fraudsters to take advantage of consumers.

Scammers can clone a person’s voice using audio data collected from public social media posts or videos. They can then call victims, spoofing the phone number of a loved one to impersonate them in distress and make urgent demands for money. These phone scams share common warning signs, like high-pressure tactics to act immediately, the use of fear or enticing offers, and demands for sensitive information or unusual payment methods.

She recommended Michiganders protect themselves against these calls with the following tips:

• Establish a family verification phrase: Use a code word or phrase that only your family knows to confirm identity during suspicious calls. 
• Do not trust caller ID: Scammers can spoof phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate. 
• Verify the situation: If something feels off, hang up and call the person back using a known number. 
• Beware of unusual payment requests: Scammers often demand payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers—methods that are hard to trace or reverse.

If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a phone scam, Nessel recommends the following:

• Notify local law enforcement.
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
• Report fraudulent charges to your bank, credit card company, or payment app.
• Contact the issuer of any gift card or money transfer service used. 

“Artificial intelligence can be used legitimately as a tool to help make our everyday lives easier,” Nessel said. “It is unfortunate that this technology is being exploited by bad actors intent on scamming and defrauding the public. This alert will help you avoid falling victim to con artists who use voice cloning tricks to play on your emotions and steal your money.”

For additional consumer protection resources or to file a complaint, visit the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team.