Tax Season May Reveal Identity Theft

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency are letting individuals know of important tax documents for people who may be victims of identity theft as a result of widespread fraudulent unemployment claims in 2020.

With tax season underway, the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has begun issuing 1099-G tax forms to all claimants who received unemployment benefits. If someone receives a UIA 1099 form but did not receive unemployment benefits, that person is likely a victim of identity theft and should report it immediately. The envelope containing the 1099 form from the UIA will include instructions on what should be done by victims of identity theft. Please follow those instructions closely.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the employment status of many Michiganders and allowed scammers to find new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals,” Nessel said. “I urge anyone who may be a victim of identity theft to take action and report it immediately. This is also a good time to remind everyone to be cautious about sharing your personal and financial information with others.”

“We’ll continue to work to root out the imposter fraud that is impacting so many Michiganders,” said UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson. “We urge everyone to follow the guidance on our website and from the Attorney General and IRS on protecting yourself and reporting identity theft.”

The law requires that the UIA issue a 1099 form to every claimant who received unemployment benefits, even those who reported identity theft. Once the UIA has fully investigated the identity theft claims, it will issue an amended 1099 form to those determined to be victims of identity theft.

Visit the UIA’s website for questions about reporting a fraudulent claim or filing your 2020 taxes.

To report fraud or file a general consumer complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team. Filing a complaint online is the best way to make Your Connection to Consumer Protection and provide a comprehensive report to the Attorney General’s office to ensure investigators have the information they need. If a consumer is unable to fill out an online complaint, they can call the toll-free Consumer Protection hotline at 877-765-8388 and staff will provide a hard copy form to fill out and return.

Forms may be returned via fax (517-241-3771) or via U.S. mail, by sending to:

Consumer Protection
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909

Submitted by Attorney General Nessel’s Office

States Get Settlement in Opioid Pusher Case

Michigan is part of a $573 million settlement that is the result of suit brought against major players in the rise of the use of prescription opioids over the past two decades. The payout comes from McKinsey and Company, which is a consulting firm that worked for Purdue Pharma, among others, the maker of the highly addictive painkiller, OxyContin.

Michigan’s cut of the payout, $19.5 million, will be used to address some of the fallout of the opioid crisis that has ravaged many Michigan communities and destroyed families. There is further litigation still in the courts, with suit filed against Cardinal Health Inc., McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. and Walgreens. The accusation is that the use of OxyContin and other schedule II and III narcotics increased drastically due to aggressive marketing schemes that focused on profits over health and safety of the users.

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel, said, “I want to be clear, this one case, while significant, is only the beginning, and our collective efforts are underway to obtain extensive additional support for those grappling with addiction and to ensure those responsible for creating it answer for their actions.” 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Contact Sports Activity Resumes Today

Winter contact sports will resume this week in schools across the state. According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSA), winter contact sports like basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling have been able to practice since January 16th, but only with non-contact activities. Competitive activity can resume for basketball and hockey today, and cheer and wrestling on February 12th. 

 Last week in the state legislature, Republicans brought forth a plan to open up schools and get winter sports going, and also to shut down future Executive Orders to close school sports. Later the same day, Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave the green light to resuming in-person practice and competitions starting on Monday, citing the success of her and President Biden’s work to get Michigan going in the right direction. 

Whitmer thanked the athletes for their passions, possibly referencing the thousands of “Let Them Play” protestors who were at the Capitol last weekend. She and MDHHS said teams can play if they wear masks, and if masks simply can’t be worn, like in a pool, there are testing protocols that must be followed. MDHHS and the Governor warned that failure to follow the rules could cause sports to take a break again if COVID rates go back up. 

For a list of regulations for each contact sport, visit the MHSA’s website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Contact SEMCO if Floodwater Affecting Furnace or Water Heater

MI, February 4, 2021 – SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company is requesting that customers contact the company if floodwater is impacting their natural gas furnace or water heater.

Please contact SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company to have a SEMCO technician respond to your home and secure any gas facilities affected by the flooding.

SEMCO can be contacted at 1-800-624-2019. Please allow the technicians to conduct their work and keep an appropriate social distance. Please secure pets inside when SEMCO technicians are working in the area.

Our employees will wear masks and gloves if required to enter your home. We will also wipe down all surfaces where we work before and after. We perform self-health checks and will maintain social distancing. We ask that you do too.

Please keep at least 6 feet away from technicians. Please let your customer service representative and your technician know if someone in your home has been ill.

We appreciate your help as we work to provide the best possible service during this weather emergency. The health, well-being and safety of our customers, associates and communities will continue to be our top priority each day.

Submitted by SEMCO

Closings & Cancellations for Friday, February 5, 2021

Closings and cancellations for Friday, February 5, 2021:

St. Clair County:

Holy Cross Catholic

St. Edward on the Lake Elementary

Immaculate Conception

St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High

Algonac Community Schools

Blue Water Choices

Capac Community Schools

Community Enterprises of St. Clair

East China School District

East Shore Leadership Academy

Landmark Academy

Life Skills Bright Futures

Life Skills Opportunities

Marysville Public Schools

Memphis Community Schools

New Life Christian Academy

St. Clair TEC

Woodland Development Center

Yale School District

Sanilac County:

Brown City School District

Carsonville-Port Sanilac School District

Croswell-Lexington School District

Sanilac Career Center and Special Ed.

 

New Vaccine Pre-Registration System Starts Today

The new COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration system goes live today. Starting at 9:00 AM, individuals who live or work in St. Clair County can visit the health department’s website to pre-register for a vaccine appointment <HERE>.

Once a person is pre-registered, they will be contacted by email, phone or text when a vaccine appointment becomes available. The pre-registration system is a placeholder only, it does not secure an actual appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The pre-registration process involves creating a user name and password and answering a few questions in the online system. Those who need assistance with the pre-registration process should seek help from a family member or friend who can help navigate the online system. Seniors 65 and older can receive help with the pre-registration process by contacting the Council on Aging at 1-800-297-0099 or by dialing 211.

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer, stated “We hope the community finds this new pre-registration system helpful. We appreciate everyone’s patience with the process. As more vaccine becomes available, vaccination opportunities will as well, including even more options for our residents.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand