Avoid Scams

Money opportunities attract scammers. Use these checks before you apply anywhere — including on listings you find here. Confirm every detail with the official source first.

Warning signs

Upfront fees to get money or a job

Legitimate employers, grant programs and assistance programs do not charge you a fee to apply, to be hired, or to receive money you qualify for.

Payment by gift card, crypto or wire transfer

Real organizations do not ask for gift card codes, cryptocurrency or wire transfers. Those payments cannot be reversed.

Requests for your banking login or full card number

Direct deposit is set up with a routing and account number through an official portal — never with your online banking username and password.

Guaranteed approval or guaranteed income

No one can guarantee you will be approved for a grant, hired for a job, or earn a specific amount of money.

Pressure to act within minutes

Manufactured urgency — 'only 3 spots left today' — is a pressure tactic. Real deadlines are published on the official source.

Interviews or offers only over chat apps

Be cautious when a 'hiring manager' will only communicate through a messaging app, uses a personal email address, or offers a job with no interview.

Being asked to buy equipment or deposit a check

A common scam sends a check, asks you to buy equipment or gift cards with it, then the check bounces and you owe the money.

Copycat websites and lookalike addresses

Check the web address carefully. Michigan state programs use michigan.gov, and county, city, college and library sites have their own official domains.

Safer habits

Open the official source link and apply there, not through a forwarded link or screenshot.
Search the organization name plus the word "scam" before sending documents.
Never send your Social Security number, ID photos or bank details over chat or email.
Keep a record of who contacted you, when, and from which address or phone number.
Ask a question the organization should be able to answer, and be wary of vague replies.

Where to report

Michigan Attorney General consumer protection — for scams targeting Michigan residents.
Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov — for fraud and deceptive offers.
Your bank or card issuer immediately — if you sent money or shared account details.
The platform where you were contacted — most have a fraud reporting option.

Saw something unsafe on a listing here? Use the Report this opportunity button on the listing. It goes straight to our review queue.

Back to Explore

Michigan Money Moves is an independent information and discovery platform. We are not a government agency, lender, employer, or financial, legal or tax advisor. Always confirm details with the official source before applying or sharing personal information.