Detroit, MI
Michigan attorney general provides tips during Identity Theft Awareness Week
(CBS DETROIT) – Even though it’s Identity Theft Awareness Week, scammers are always on the hunt for their next victim.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 17,000 identity theft reports were made in Michigan last year alone. With data breaches becoming the norm, much could be at risk.
“I got an alert from Metro PCS saying ‘You added a new phone line.’ They kept sending me codes, but I wasn’t getting them. They were going to the spoofed phone,” said Jennifer Casing-Frayer, a victim of identity theft.
Casing-Frayer said her cellphone carrier had a data breach last spring. The scammers got ahold of her number and got into her emails.
From there, the scammers applied for loans and a credit card totaling $10,000.
“It put me in a panic mode … I had just started to build my credit up, and then this happened. I’m like what do I do? Where do I go from here,” Casing-Frayer said.
According to Attorney General Dana Nessel, 34 states have better scam protections over Michigan. In recent times, companies like Corewell Health experienced data breaches.
The attorney general wants stronger laws when it comes to reporting company breaches.
“To immediately notify you, and the Department of AG, so we can be of assistance. What we are seeing is that a company gets hacked, they don’t say anything to customers and then months go by and all kinds of terrible things could be happening,” Nessel told our team.
Nessel stresses to be careful when calls are made to you under the guise of your bank. Nessel adds that as mail theft becomes more popular it may be time to toss the idea of mailing checks.
“Don’t click on any links if you are emailed or texted something, independently contact that business or bank,” Nessel said.
Changing up passwords and being mindful of where they’re stored are other tips. For Casing-Frayer, the scammers who got her were arrested. She was able to close the loans and the card opened in her name.
“I’m afraid that something like this is going to come back and bite me. I checked my credit report there’s nothing on it…but I never know now,” she said.
The attorney general recommends locking down your credit.
“You sign up for their program, you lock down your credit, and they send you alerts if anyone is trying to open up your credit.”
Casing-Frayer and her husband plan to buy a home. A concern for her is if she can be scammed again.
“How is this going to affect me when I do wanna try? And even if I tried to buy land is that going to affect it?” she said.
Additional identity theft resources can be found here
Detroit, MI
Metro Detroit veterans charity pleads for end to donation bin vandalism across metro area
CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Officials with the Veterans and America First Foundation are speaking out after for their donation bins were vandalized.
The organization, based in Clinton Township, collects clothing donations through bins placed throughout metro Detroit to support veterans and others in need with clothes, food and housing.
Bins located on West Vernor Highway near Military Street in Detroit were among the latest to be hit.
Paul Dehem, director and founder of Veterans and America First Foundation, learned about the damage on Saturday after Aiman Kawas, who is in charge of servicing the bins, discovered they had been damaged.
Dehem said the vandalism occurred within a narrow window.
“It happened sometime between Wednesday and Friday,” Dehem said.
WXYZ
“It’s just disheartening,” Dehem said.
Kawas said the West Vernor Highway incident is far from isolated.
“I was disappointed, of course this is not our first time being vandalized,” Kawas said.
WXYZ
“We have lost over 70 bins to vandalism or theft, the actual bin disappears… they take it completely,” Kawas said.
Jason Beddow, director of development for Veterans and America First Foundation, said each bin costs about $1,000 to replace.
“The vets are missing out on their charity and donations from those bins and it’s just a real shame,” Beddow said.
WXYZ
Meanwhile, Dehem said he hopes those responsible will consider who is truly harmed by the destruction.
“We have a mission and it’s for the veterans,” Dehem said. “It’s not for profit, we’re just trying to make things work and help people.”
Anyone with information about who is vandalizing the bins, or surveillance video, is asked to contact Detroit police.
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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
A 17-year-old has been charged in a nonfatal ‘teen takeover’ shooting.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office charged 17‑year‑old Ramon Javon Perez Smith of Detroit in connection with the non‑fatal shooting of a 14‑year‑old Detroit male. Prosecutor Kym Worthy confirmed that Smith will be tried as an adult.
Smith is charged with assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon, and three counts of felony firearm.
He was arraigned Saturday and given a $500,000 cash bond, along with a GPS tether, house arrest, and an order barring contact with the victim or any witnesses. A bond re‑determination hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, 2026, before Judge McConico.
Another teen was also charged in the shooting that happened in downtown Detroit during the “teen takeover” event.
The preliminary hearing for a 16-year old from Detroit was held Tuesday on charges of carrying a concealed weapon. He received a $4,000 bond with house arrest.
He was also ordered not to possess any firearms or illegal substances. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for July 2.
Detroit police were called to the 1300 block of Farmer Street around 9:37 p.m. on May 17, after reports of a shooting. Officers arrived to find the teenage victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. Medics transported him to a nearby hospital where he received emergency treatment and is expected to survive.
According to investigators, Smith was involved in a physical altercation with a group that included the victim. Prosecutors allege that Smith pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots into the group, hitting the 14‑year‑old before fleeing the scene. Detroit police arrested Smith shortly afterward.
“We are thankful that the 14‑year‑old victim received immediate medical care and will survive this traumatic event,” Prosecutor Worthy said in the release.
mjohnson@detroitnews.com
At least three people are injured after separate weekend shootings across Detroit as of Saturday night.
According to police, a man on the 20600 block of West Eight Mile Road assaulted another man before firing shots on Saturday around 3:04 p.m. Officials said the man shot was grazed by at least one bullet and the suspected shooter was arrested. A weapon was recovered by law enforcement at the scene.
Roughly 40 minutes after the shooting on Eight Mile Road, a man was shot and had his vehicle stolen on the 19300 block of Rosemont Avenue, according to police. The man was sitting inside his gray Chevrolet Equinox when an unknown individual approached with a gun and demanded money.
Officials said the man in the Chevrolet was shot after he exited his vehicle. He was taken to the hospital and, as of Saturday night, is in stable condition. The individual who approached the man left the scene in the Equinox, according to police.
Just before 6 p.m. Saturday, a male teenager was shot while driving in the area of Woodward and West Hildale avenues, near Palmer Park, police said. According to officials, the teen, whose exact age has yet to be disclosed, was traveling in the area when an individual in another vehicle pulled alongside him and fired shots.
The teen was taken to the hospital. As of Saturday night, he is also in stable condition, officials said.
Police have yet to disclose whether an arrest has been made in the shootings on Rosemont Avenue or near Palmer Park.
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