By Scott McClallen
Michigan Capitol Confidential
About 10 million Michiganders might be owed money. Are you one of them?
Last year, the Michigan Department of Treasury’s unclaimed property office returned more than $150 million to rightful owners or their heirs.
Visit the Michigan Unclaimed Property website at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov and enter your name to find out.
“I encourage individuals and business representatives to visit our refreshed website to see if we may be holding property in their name or in the name of their business,” Terry Stanton, who oversees the unclaimed property program, said in a statement. “Our unclaimed property database is updated throughout the year, so just like spring cleaning, an annual check of our site is always a good idea.”
Michigan Unclaimed Property, within the Michigan Department of Treasury, is the custodian of millions of dollars in lost or forgotten assets. These include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, stock certificates and valuables left in abandoned safe deposit boxes.
These properties are turned over to the state once they are determined to be lost or abandoned, as required by law.
Michigan Unclaimed Property then works to reunite the properties with their rightful owners.
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Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
Michigan Capitol Confidential
About 10 million Michiganders might be owed money. Are you one of them?
Last year, the Michigan Department of Treasury’s unclaimed property office returned more than $150 million to rightful owners or their heirs.
Visit the Michigan Unclaimed Property website at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov and enter your name to find out.
“I encourage individuals and business representatives to visit our refreshed website to see if we may be holding property in their name or in the name of their business,” Terry Stanton, who oversees the unclaimed property program, said in a statement. “Our unclaimed property database is updated throughout the year, so just like spring cleaning, an annual check of our site is always a good idea.”
Michigan Unclaimed Property, within the Michigan Department of Treasury, is the custodian of millions of dollars in lost or forgotten assets. These include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, stock certificates and valuables left in abandoned safe deposit boxes.
These properties are turned over to the state once they are determined to be lost or abandoned, as required by law.
Michigan Unclaimed Property then works to reunite the properties with their rightful owners.
—————
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
Nessel, Fellow AGs Launch Robocall Crackdown
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has launched Operation Robocall Roundup, a multistate effort by the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force to crack down on robocalls across the country.
As part of the initiative, Nessel and 50 bipartisan attorneys general are sending warning letters to 37 voice providers demanding that they act now to stop illegal robocalls being routed through their networks.
“Operation Robocall Roundup will help ensure voice service providers do their part to stop illegal robocalls,” Nessel said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force to protect people from these persistent and intrusive calls.”
These providers haven’t complied with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules about responding to government traceback requests, haven’t registered in the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Databases, or haven’t filed a plan that describes how they will reduce illegal robocalls on their network. By disregarding these simple rules, these companies are allowing robocallers onto their phone networks and then passing their calls on to other downstream providers until they reach the phones of Michigan residents.
The task force is also sending the letters to more than 100 downstream providers that accept call traffic from the 37 companies, so that they know they’re doing business with bad actors that are not willing to follow the rules that apply to everyone equally.
The FCC is also taking a close look at several of these companies. It announced yesterday that it will be removing seven of these providers from the Robocall Mitigation Database, which means that other providers will no longer be allowed to accept and route any calls from their networks.
The voice service providers receiving warning letters are:
• Advantage Investors LLC
• Alpha Stream
• Ananya Traders LLC
• Ariyan Khan
• BBT Voice Private Limited
• Belthrough
• BPO VoIP
• Collection 3 LLC
• Communications and Telephone Systems Co.
• Dial Vista Corp.
• DigitalOcean, LLC
• Dtel Network LLC
• End Zone Financial Services
• EON Telecom Inc.
• Family Communication Inc.
• Fiber Flux VOIP
• First Tele Communications Inc.
• Flow VOIP LLC
• Globe Tech Solutions
• Higher Response Marketing, Inc.
• HK KwaiFong Group Limited
• Infinity SIP LLC
• Lexico Telecom LTD/Lextel LTD
• Mexico IP Phones LLC
• Nexusphere VOIP LLC
• Pleedex LLC
• Quantum Link VOIP LLC
• Ringnition
• SK Teleco LLC
• SkyPulse VOIP
• Stacy Newsome LNCC LCC
• Telnextrix LLC
• Terra Voip
• TheVisionConnect
• Tiera Enterprises LLC
• Voip Torque
• Whisl Telecom, LLC/Telconus/Telcon US/Telcon Voice
In 2022, 51 attorneys general joined forces to create the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force. The Task Force investigates and takes legal action against companies responsible for significant volumes of illegal and fraudulent robocall traffic routed into and across the United States.
As part of the initiative, Nessel and 50 bipartisan attorneys general are sending warning letters to 37 voice providers demanding that they act now to stop illegal robocalls being routed through their networks.
“Operation Robocall Roundup will help ensure voice service providers do their part to stop illegal robocalls,” Nessel said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force to protect people from these persistent and intrusive calls.”
These providers haven’t complied with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules about responding to government traceback requests, haven’t registered in the FCC’s Robocall Mitigation Databases, or haven’t filed a plan that describes how they will reduce illegal robocalls on their network. By disregarding these simple rules, these companies are allowing robocallers onto their phone networks and then passing their calls on to other downstream providers until they reach the phones of Michigan residents.
The task force is also sending the letters to more than 100 downstream providers that accept call traffic from the 37 companies, so that they know they’re doing business with bad actors that are not willing to follow the rules that apply to everyone equally.
The FCC is also taking a close look at several of these companies. It announced yesterday that it will be removing seven of these providers from the Robocall Mitigation Database, which means that other providers will no longer be allowed to accept and route any calls from their networks.
The voice service providers receiving warning letters are:
• Advantage Investors LLC
• Alpha Stream
• Ananya Traders LLC
• Ariyan Khan
• BBT Voice Private Limited
• Belthrough
• BPO VoIP
• Collection 3 LLC
• Communications and Telephone Systems Co.
• Dial Vista Corp.
• DigitalOcean, LLC
• Dtel Network LLC
• End Zone Financial Services
• EON Telecom Inc.
• Family Communication Inc.
• Fiber Flux VOIP
• First Tele Communications Inc.
• Flow VOIP LLC
• Globe Tech Solutions
• Higher Response Marketing, Inc.
• HK KwaiFong Group Limited
• Infinity SIP LLC
• Lexico Telecom LTD/Lextel LTD
• Mexico IP Phones LLC
• Nexusphere VOIP LLC
• Pleedex LLC
• Quantum Link VOIP LLC
• Ringnition
• SK Teleco LLC
• SkyPulse VOIP
• Stacy Newsome LNCC LCC
• Telnextrix LLC
• Terra Voip
• TheVisionConnect
• Tiera Enterprises LLC
• Voip Torque
• Whisl Telecom, LLC/Telconus/Telcon US/Telcon Voice
In 2022, 51 attorneys general joined forces to create the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force. The Task Force investigates and takes legal action against companies responsible for significant volumes of illegal and fraudulent robocall traffic routed into and across the United States.
First Human West Nile Case This Year Detected in State
West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in a Livingston County resident. This is the first human case of WNV detected in Michigan this year.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding residents that the best way to protect against WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) is to prevent mosquito bites.
“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness. Use insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors during times when mosquitoes are active,” state Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said. “These precautions are especially important during peak mosquito-biting hours, which are from dusk to dawn.”
WNV has been found in mosquitoes collected this year from Bay, Kalamazoo, Kent, Macomb, Midland, Saginaw, Tuscola and Wayne counties. In addition, JCV has been found in mosquitoes collected from Bay, Kalamazoo, Macomb, Ottawa, Saginaw and Washtenaw counties. The risk for mosquito-borne illness rises throughout the state over the course of the mosquito season, peaking in August and September.
Mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected animal. Most people who contract the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill two to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms typically include a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness and severe headache. More serious complications include neurological illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis.
The best way to prevent WNV or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include:
• Using EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol and 2-undecanone.
Follow the product label instructions and reapply as directed. (Don’t use repellent on children under 2 months old. Instead, dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs and cover crib, stroller and baby carrier with mosquito netting.)
• Wearing shoes and socks, light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
• Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
• Using bed nets when sleeping outdoors or in conditions with no window screens.
• Eliminating all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding around your home, including water in bird baths, abandoned swimming pools, wading pools, old tires and any other object holding water once a week.
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases or CDC.gov/West-Nile-Virus.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding residents that the best way to protect against WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases like Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) is to prevent mosquito bites.
“It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness. Use insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors during times when mosquitoes are active,” state Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said. “These precautions are especially important during peak mosquito-biting hours, which are from dusk to dawn.”
WNV has been found in mosquitoes collected this year from Bay, Kalamazoo, Kent, Macomb, Midland, Saginaw, Tuscola and Wayne counties. In addition, JCV has been found in mosquitoes collected from Bay, Kalamazoo, Macomb, Ottawa, Saginaw and Washtenaw counties. The risk for mosquito-borne illness rises throughout the state over the course of the mosquito season, peaking in August and September.
Mosquito-borne viruses are transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected animal. Most people who contract the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill two to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.
Symptoms typically include a high fever, confusion, muscle weakness and severe headache. More serious complications include neurological illnesses, such as meningitis and encephalitis.
The best way to prevent WNV or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include:
• Using EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol and 2-undecanone.
Follow the product label instructions and reapply as directed. (Don’t use repellent on children under 2 months old. Instead, dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs and cover crib, stroller and baby carrier with mosquito netting.)
• Wearing shoes and socks, light-colored long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
• Making sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings.
• Using bed nets when sleeping outdoors or in conditions with no window screens.
• Eliminating all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding around your home, including water in bird baths, abandoned swimming pools, wading pools, old tires and any other object holding water once a week.
For more information, visit Michigan.gov/EmergingDiseases or CDC.gov/West-Nile-Virus.
App Can Help Teens Quit Smoking, Vaping
Young people in Michigan now have a new way to access free help to quit using tobacco and nicotine products, including e-cigarettes/vapes.
The My Life, My Quit program has launched a mobile app, making it easy for teens to get confidential support from their smartphones.
“This new app will meet teens where they are with tools that support quitting tobacco products,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “We are grateful My Life, My Quit worked with young adults to update their programming and are excited to promote this new option to youth in Michigan.”
As part of an effort to help young Michiganders quit tobacco, MDHHS contracts with the My Life, My Quit program. This free, evidence-based, service is designed specifically for youth who want to quit using tobacco and e-cigarette products.
The new app offers live text and phone coaching, interactive content and personalized quit plans. It was developed in response to feedback from teen users and has been created to improve accessibility and expand engagement.
The app includes features like:
• Real time chat with a quit coach.
• Reminders and motivational messages.
• Progress training and interactive quit planning tools.
• Seamless connection to the full My Life, My Quit program across devices.
The app is available for download from Google Play and Apple App stores.
Youth and young adults can continue to enroll in the program by visiting MyLifeMyQuit.org or by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072.
According to the 2023 Michigan Youth Tobacco Survey, 13.2 percent of respondents reported current use of any tobacco product. The most common type of tobacco product used were e-cigarettes with 11.1 percent of youth reporting that they had used an e-cigarette in the last 30 days.
MDHHS reminds Michigan residents there are numerous benefits to quitting tobacco including financial savings, better health and more time spent with loved ones. As it can take several attempts to quit for good, tobacco users are encouraged not to give up after a failed attempt.
For additional information and resources, visit Michigan.gov/tobacco.
The My Life, My Quit program has launched a mobile app, making it easy for teens to get confidential support from their smartphones.
“This new app will meet teens where they are with tools that support quitting tobacco products,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “We are grateful My Life, My Quit worked with young adults to update their programming and are excited to promote this new option to youth in Michigan.”
As part of an effort to help young Michiganders quit tobacco, MDHHS contracts with the My Life, My Quit program. This free, evidence-based, service is designed specifically for youth who want to quit using tobacco and e-cigarette products.
The new app offers live text and phone coaching, interactive content and personalized quit plans. It was developed in response to feedback from teen users and has been created to improve accessibility and expand engagement.
The app includes features like:
• Real time chat with a quit coach.
• Reminders and motivational messages.
• Progress training and interactive quit planning tools.
• Seamless connection to the full My Life, My Quit program across devices.
The app is available for download from Google Play and Apple App stores.
Youth and young adults can continue to enroll in the program by visiting MyLifeMyQuit.org or by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072.
According to the 2023 Michigan Youth Tobacco Survey, 13.2 percent of respondents reported current use of any tobacco product. The most common type of tobacco product used were e-cigarettes with 11.1 percent of youth reporting that they had used an e-cigarette in the last 30 days.
MDHHS reminds Michigan residents there are numerous benefits to quitting tobacco including financial savings, better health and more time spent with loved ones. As it can take several attempts to quit for good, tobacco users are encouraged not to give up after a failed attempt.
For additional information and resources, visit Michigan.gov/tobacco.
