Key Findings
Michigan receives an estimated 1.39 billion robocalls annually (138 per person), according to WhistleOut's 2026 robocall epidemic report. ScamVerify™ analysis of 9.7 million FTC phone complaint records reveals 264,487 complaints from 100,209 unique scam numbers across 11 Michigan area codes. The state ranks 10th nationally in total volume.
Michigan has a unique scam identity rooted in the auto industry. Motor vehicle and auto warranty complaints are the #1 consumer complaint category with the state Attorney General, making Michigan the only state where vehicle-related scams top the list. Warranty and protection plan robocalls account for 5,495 FTC complaints statewide, and AG Dana Nessel has filed lawsuits against warranty scam companies operating in the state. Detroit's 313 area code has a 3.1 complaints-per-number ratio, the highest in Michigan and well above the national average, reflecting concentrated automated scam operations using Detroit numbers.
All 11 Michigan Area Codes: Ranked by Complaints
| Rank | Area Code | Region | Numbers | Complaints | Per # | In-State % | Nat'l Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 313 | Detroit | 12,578 | 38,925 | 3.1 | 56.2% | #71 |
| 2 | 248 | Oakland County | 12,688 | 33,065 | 2.6 | 81.4% | #108 |
| 3 | 231 | Northwest MI | 11,905 | 31,868 | 2.7 | 59.0% | #121 |
| 4 | 734 | Ann Arbor | 10,363 | 25,464 | 2.5 | 76.8% | #176 |
| 5 | 586 | Macomb County | 8,661 | 24,587 | 2.8 | 75.7% | #186 |
| 6 | 616 | Grand Rapids | 8,746 | 22,057 | 2.5 | 75.0% | #202 |
| 7 | 989 | Saginaw | 8,082 | 21,986 | 2.7 | 75.3% | #203 |
| 8 | 517 | Lansing | 8,443 | 20,684 | 2.4 | 71.6% | #211 |
| 9 | 269 | Kalamazoo | 8,371 | 19,174 | 2.3 | 77.6% | #223 |
| 10 | 810 | Flint | 7,226 | 19,055 | 2.6 | 71.1% | #225 |
| 11 | 906 | Upper Peninsula | 3,146 | 7,622 | 2.4 | 73.0% | #315 |
| Total | 100,209 | 264,487 | 2.6 avg | 72.1% avg |
Detroit: Michigan's Scam Epicenter
Detroit's 313 area code leads Michigan with 38,925 complaints and a 3.1 complaints-per-number ratio, the highest in the state. That ratio is comparable to area codes known for concentrated scam operations like 202 DC (3.6) and well above the national average of 2.5.
| Area Code | Coverage | Complaints | In-State % | Top Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 313 | Detroit | 38,925 | 56.2% | Debt reduction (7,439) |
| 248 | Oakland/Suburbs | 33,065 | 81.4% | Medical (4,498) |
| 586 | Macomb County | 24,587 | 75.7% | Medical (2,642) |
| Detroit Metro | 96,577 |
The three Detroit metro area codes generate 96,577 complaints, 36.5% of the state total. The 313 code itself has just 56.2% in-state targeting with debt reduction as its top category at 7,439 complaints (87.4% robocall rate), confirming it is used for out-of-state automated campaigns. The suburban codes (248 and 586) have much higher in-state targeting (75-81%) and are dominated by medical scams, indicating local neighbor-spoofing operations.
DTE Energy (Detroit-area utility) impersonation is a known local pattern. Callers display 616 (Grand Rapids) and metro Detroit numbers claiming to be "DTE GAS FIELD" representatives, threatening immediate service shutoff.
The Auto Warranty Angle
Michigan's connection to the auto industry makes warranty scams uniquely effective here.
| Rank | Scam Category | Complaints | Robocall % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Medical and prescriptions | 30,824 | 59.2% |
| 2 | Debt reduction | 22,866 | 79.9% |
| 3 | Government/business impersonation | 21,620 | 63.4% |
| 4 | Warranties and protection plans | 5,495 | 56.5% |
| 5 | Energy, solar, and utilities | 2,807 | 59.0% |
| 6 | Charities | 2,392 | 51.8% |
| 7 | Home improvement and cleaning | 1,486 | 45.4% |
| 8 | Vacation and timeshares | 1,326 | 33.3% |
Warranty scams rank #4 with 5,495 complaints. While this is not the absolute highest number, it represents 2.1% of Michigan's total complaints, a higher warranty-scam share than California (1.8%), Florida (1.8%), or New York (1.3%). AG Nessel's office confirmed that motor vehicle and auto-related complaints are the #1 category received by the state consumer protection bureau, and in January 2025, her office sued Opulent Marketing and Infinite Auto Protection for deceptive vehicle service contracts, alleging $280,000+ in improper transfers.
The 248 Oakland County area code has the highest warranty scam count at 1,026, with a 42.8% robocall rate indicating a nearly even split between automated and live-operator warranty pitches. Scammers calling from a 248 number (which covers Pontiac, formerly a GM brand name) about auto warranties carry an implicit auto-industry association.
Top 10 Most Reported Michigan Phone Numbers
| Rank | Phone Number | Complaints | Primary Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (248) 598-7321 | 215 | Impersonation, dropped calls |
| 2 | (989) 285-8511 | 186 | Medical, home security |
| 3 | (313) 444-6004 | 149 | Medical, dropped calls |
| 4 | (313) 725-9910 | 146 | Mixed |
| 5 | (616) 253-1884 | 137 | Mixed |
| 6 | (231) 216-7211 | 126 | Impersonation |
| 7 | (313) 380-9673 | 126 | Mixed |
| 8 | (586) 326-0441 | 122 | Mixed |
| 9 | (313) 373-3000 | 110 | Debt reduction (62.7%) |
| 10 | (517) 210-2172 | 109 | Impersonation, mixed |
Four of the top 10 numbers use the 313 (Detroit) area code. (313) 373-3000 is a debt reduction operation with 69 of 110 complaints in that category. (989) 285-8511 from Saginaw targets medical scam victims and has an unusual secondary category of home security scams (16 complaints). (517) 210-2172 from Lansing has impersonation as its top category with 20 complaints referencing government impersonation.
Michigan's AI Scam Frontier
AG Nessel has been one of the most vocal state attorneys general on AI-powered scams. In March 2026, she reissued a consumer alert about deepfake audio, voice cloning to impersonate family members, and AI-generated documents. She also warned about a specific 36th District Court (Wayne County) scam using fake "Notice of Civil Infraction Hearing" texts traced to overseas entities.
The 63.4% statewide robocall rate for impersonation scams indicates that more than a third of impersonation calls use live operators. AI voice cloning bridges the gap between fully automated robocalls and live-operator calls, allowing scammers to deploy realistic-sounding voices at automated scale.
Neighbor Spoofing: Detroit vs. Outstate
| Highest In-State | % | Lowest In-State | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 248 Oakland County | 81.4% | 313 Detroit | 56.2% |
| 269 Kalamazoo | 77.6% | 231 NW Michigan | 59.0% |
| 734 Ann Arbor | 76.8% | 517 Lansing | 71.6% |
| 586 Macomb | 75.7% | 810 Flint | 71.1% |
Suburban Detroit codes (248, 586) and West Michigan codes (269, 616) have the highest in-state targeting (75-81%), indicating effective neighbor spoofing. Detroit's 313 has the lowest at 56.2%, confirming it is heavily used for nationwide campaigns. 231 (NW Michigan/Traverse City) is also low at 59% with 4,885 debt reduction complaints at 88.6% robocall rate, another out-of-state campaign vehicle.
What Michiganders Can Do
- Check any suspicious number on ScamVerify's phone lookup before calling back. Michigan has 100,209 known scam numbers in our database.
- Report scam calls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the MI AG at michigan.gov/ag or 877-765-8388.
- Be cautious of auto warranty calls. Michigan is the only state where motor vehicle complaints top the AG's consumer protection list. No legitimate warranty company uses pre-recorded messages to sell extended coverage.
- Verify DTE Energy communications. DTE never threatens immediate shutoff by phone or demands payment by gift card. Contact DTE directly at 1-800-477-4747.
- Watch for AI voice cloning. AG Nessel warns that scammers need only a few seconds of audio to clone a voice. If a "family member" calls requesting emergency money, hang up and call them directly on their known number.
Check this number now
Enter any U.S. phone number to check it against millions of federal complaints and real-time carrier data.
FAQ
Why does Michigan have so many robocalls?
Michigan receives an estimated 1.39 billion robocalls annually (138 per person per year), according to WhistleOut data. The state's 11 area codes provide extensive spoofing options, and Detroit's 313 area code has a 3.1 complaints-per-number ratio indicating concentrated automated operations. Medical scams (#1 with 30,824 complaints), debt reduction (#2 with 22,866), and auto warranty scams (#4 with 5,495) drive the volume.
Is Michigan the worst state for auto warranty scams?
Michigan has the highest warranty-scam concentration (2.1% of total complaints) of any state in our series and is the only state where the AG's #1 consumer complaint category is motor vehicles. AG Nessel sued Opulent Marketing/Infinite Auto Protection in January 2025 for deceptive vehicle service contracts. Michigan's auto industry heritage makes warranty-related calls more believable to residents, increasing engagement rates.
Why does Detroit (313) have such a high complaints-per-number ratio?
The 313 area code has 3.1 complaints per number, well above the 2.5 national average. This indicates scam operations that reuse each 313 number more aggressively before cycling to new ones. The 56.2% in-state targeting rate and dominance of debt reduction (7,439 complaints, 87.4% robocall rate) confirm that 313 is being used for nationwide automated debt campaigns, not just targeting Detroit residents.
What types of scams target Michigan the most?
Medical and prescriptions lead with 30,824 complaints (59.2% robocall rate), followed by debt reduction at 22,866 (79.9%), government impersonation at 21,620 (63.4%), and warranties at 5,495 (56.5%). DTE Energy impersonation is a localized threat in the Detroit metro. AG Nessel has warned specifically about AI voice cloning scams and fake court documents from 36th District Court.
How do I report a phone scam in Michigan?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the Michigan AG's Consumer Protection division at michigan.gov/ag or 877-765-8388. For auto warranty scam complaints specifically, the AG's office has an active enforcement program and uses consumer reports to build cases.
