The controversy has made things even more difficult for health officials trying to stop the spread.

The controversy has made things even more difficult for health officials trying to stop the spread.

LANSING, Mich. – After a recent uptick in phone scams targeting residents, Attorney General Dana Nessel, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon and Michigan Association for Local Public Health Executive Director Meghan Swain are warning Michiganders about scammers posing as public health officials to steal personal information. Several local health departments – including Bay, Jackson, Livingston, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties – have received reports from residents about calls from individuals seeking personal information that could be used to steal someone's identity. Simply hang up and report the call to our office.”The callers claim to be from a local health department and appear to be calling from health department phone numbers, a practice that is commonly known as spoofing. “Local public health and Medicaid officials will never call you to request account information, Social Security numbers or passwords,” said Gordon. “Local health departments are aware of the issue and want to ensure the public that we would not ask for personal information over the phone.