Dana's Dispatch: juice jacking, weather scams, red flag laws & more!

[logo]( AG warns consumers of ‘juice jacking’ Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning Michiganders to beware of another method hackers are using to steal personal data. The FBI calls it “juice jacking”. It is a cyber-theft tactic that can occur whenever an electronic device is plugged into a public charging station that can be found in airports or hotel lobbies. Since public charging stations are open to anyone, officials said bad actors can secretly install malware into the stations. When consumers plug in their devices, the malware gains access to the device being charged, and can lock the device or export personal data and passwords. The attorney general’s office said juice jacking can happen in two ways: by plugging a device into a public USB port with your own charging cable, or by using an infected cable provided by someone else. The FCC reported some incidents of infected cables being given away as promotional gifts. Investigators said in some cases, hackers will install and hide a skimming device inside the USB ports of the kiosk. “This is yet another nefarious way bad actors have discovered that allows them to steal and profit from what doesn’t belong to them,” Nessel said. “Consumers typically don’t think twice before plugging into a public charging station. But knowing the risks and alternatives will allow them to protect themselves and their personal information.” [READ MORE]( Anna Kathman, WNEM (April 17, 2023) AG warns consumers of ‘juice jacking’ Retrieved from: [AG warns consumers of ‘juice jacking’](   AG Dana Nessel warns UP residents to watch out for weather-related scams In response to recent destructive flooding across the western Upper Peninsula, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her recent alert to warn residents about severe weather-related scams. (AG Office/File Photo)(WNDU) Several U.P. counties are experiencing a rapid melting of snow caused by the rise in temperatures. The fast-moving waters have overwhelmed storm-water systems, burst dams and caused washed-out roads. They have also resulted in failed culverts and embankments. The conditions in these areas have created situations where some residents may experience property damage. Nessel wants to give residents the tools they need to avoid falling victim to disaster-related scams. “Our hearts go out to the communities affected by the U.P. flooding, but we also want them to be prepared with information that can keep them from falling victim to bad actors who perpetrate weather-related scams,” Nessel said. “The Consumer Protection team in my office is here to help if you believe a business or individual is engaging in fraudulent behavior in response to the severe weather.” [READ MORE]( TV6 News Team, TV6 (April 17, 2023) AG Dana Nessel warns UP residents to watch out for weather-related scams Retrieved from: [AG Dana Nessel warns UP residents to watch out for weather-related scams](   AG Nessel seeks to reduce Consumers Energy's natural gas rate increase request by 75% Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is trying to get a 75% reduction to Consumers Energy’s requested rate increase and get rid of its requested increase to residential monthly service charges. On December 15, 2022, Consumers Energy requested a $212 million rate increase as well as a $2.00 increase in its residential monthly service charge from the Michigan Public Service Commission. If approved by the Commission, residential customers' rates would increase by 7.8% in addition to the $2.00 a month increase in the monthly service charge. Nessel is advocating to reduce Consumers Energy’s rate increase from $212 million to $52.3 million, and to eliminate any increase in the residential monthly service charge. Nessel says she’s also looking to limit any increase for residential customers to less than 2% as well as similarly reducing any increase for Consumers Energy’s small commercial and industrial customers. “I have said it before and it continues to be true, Michigan residents are facing enormous pressure as their heating bills consume more and more of their household income,” said Nessel. “My filed response explains that Consumers Energy should learn to cut costs in its own budget just as customers have had to cut costs in theirs to accommodate these climbing energy costs.” [READ MORE]( Trevor Drew, WPBN/WGTU (April 18, 2023) AG Nessel seeks to reduce Consumers Energy's natural gas rate increase request by 75% Retrieved from: [AG Nessel seeks to reduce Consumers Energy's natural gas rate increase request by 75%](   Benson, Nessel Urge Parents To Sign Up Kids For Protect MiChild Registry Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel today encouraged Michigan parents and schools to sign up for the state’s ProtectMiChild Registry in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Photo courtesy of Radio Results Network ProtectMiChild is a free and secure program that keeps kids safe from adult-oriented advertising via social media, text, and email. Parents can register their children’s social media handles, phone numbers, and email addresses to block ads for products like alcohol, tobacco, pornography, and online gambling. Schools and organizations that work with children under 18 can also add their accounts. More than 920,000 numbers and accounts have been added to the Michigan registry. In 2021, the registry was updated to allow parents to add their child’s Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. Benson and Nessel said they are working to add YouTube and TikTok to the ad blocking service in the coming months. “As a parent, I know how concerning it is to consider what our children are exposed to on the internet,” said Attorney General Nessel. “This registry offers one strong defense against content that has no business being advertised to our kids, and I strongly encourage concerned parents to register the accounts and devices their children are using. Compliance with the registry is mandatory for online advertisers, and our department will gladly enforce it to protect your family. Sign up, let the registry work for you.” [READ MORE]( Jack Hall, Radio Results Network (April 18, 2023) Benson, Nessel Urge Parents To Sign Up Kids For Protect MiChild Registry Retrieved from: [Benson, Nessel Urge Parents To Sign Up Kids For Protect MiChild Registry](   Michigan lawmakers pass red flag gun law; Whitmer expected to sign After passing in the state Senate Wednesday, red flag legislation is now headed to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. WDIV Local 4 The legislation gives a judge the power to remove guns from people posing a danger to themselves or others. The Senate votes fell along party lines. Michigan will become the 20th state to adopt such laws. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released a statement after advocating for red flag laws. “This law will save lives. What is clear, after years of witnessing horrific gun violence across school campuses, places of worship, and elsewhere, is that some people simply should not have firearms. And often, whether the need to remove a person’s access to a firearm is acute or enduring, there are egregious and abundant warning signs. This law will allow concerned friends, family, and law enforcement to act in a way that prevents senseless gun violence and deaths in our state.” [READ MORE]( Jacqueline Francis and Brandon Carr, WDIV (April 19, 2023) Michigan lawmakers pass red flag gun law; Whitmer expected to sign Retrieved from: [Michigan lawmakers pass red flag gun law; Whitmer expected to sign](   Michigan AG backs proposed rule to axe non-compete clauses in employment contracts A proposed rule that would eliminate most non-compete clauses in employment contracts has the support of the Michigan’s top lawyer. Photo courtesy of WDIV (Photo by Cytonn Photography/Pexels) Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission chair this week in support of a proposal FTC rule to end non-compete clauses, joining 18 other states in supporting the proposal. In January, the FTC proposed the Non-Compete Clause Rule, which would bar employers from preventing workers from working for or establishing a competing business within a certain time period after leaving a job. The FTC says one in five American workers are bound by a non-compete clause. The FTC proposes preventing employers from entering into non-compete clauses with workers and requiring employers to rescind existing non-compete clauses. The Commission estimates that the proposed rule would increase American workers’ earnings between $250 billion and $296 billion per year. “Post-employment restrictions like these have an adverse effect on workers, especially low-wage workers and those who are part of the ‘gig economy’ and tend to change jobs often,” Nessel said. “Non-compete statutes are also often misused for anti-competitive purposes that do not protect legitimate business interests. I stand firmly with my colleagues in supporting the FTC’s proposed rule to provide workers with additional protections in this area.” [READ MORE]( Ken Haddad, WDIV (April 20, 2023) Michigan AG backs proposed rule to axe non-compete clauses in employment contracts Retrieved from: [Michigan AG backs proposed rule to axe non-compete clauses in employment contracts](   KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DANA: [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Web Site]( Any donor history information in this email reflects what we have on file for this specific email address. If you have donated with a different email address, with a check, or with a spouse – thank you so much. We have that on file and cannot thank you enough for your support. Paid for by Friends of Dana Nessel Friends of Dana Nessel P.O. Box 11141 Lansing, MI 48901 United States If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please [unsubscribe](.