Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is warning residents about paying for online Secretary of State services without first checking that the website they're using is the official Michigan.gov site.
Secretary of State staff has been receiving more and more complaints from customers who believed they visited a Secretary of State website to complete a transaction and paid a fee, only to later find that the fee did not go to the state, and they did not get the services they needed.
Unfortunately, these customers used an online search engine that directed them to sites not affiliated with the state of Michigan when they were looking for driver's license and vehicle license plate renewal options or other Secretary of State services. These sites misleadingly charge for services or information that are normally available at no cost on the official department website.
"People should examine the site they're on closely before agreeing to pay," Johnson said. "Double-check the web address to make sure it's an official state of Michigan site before you pay for services that might be free. Don't fall for misleading sites."
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Secretary Johnson presented the Michigan Donor Family Council with a Shining Star Award on May 12 for the group's tireless advocacy of organ, tissue and eye donation.
"Among the many great partners who promote organ, tissue and eye donation, the Michigan Donor Family Council is one of the most dedicated and influential," said Johnson while awarding the council at the Downriver Area PLUS Secretary of State office in Trenton. "I am honored to recognize the council's work and its continued outreach to donor families statewide."
Council CEO Patty Jo Herndon said council members are honored to be recognized for their work supporting organ donation efforts, especially because of their personal experience with donation.
"Each of our members has personally been touched by organ, tissue and/or eye donation," she said. "We bring donor families, recipients and advocates together to educate and increase awareness of organ, tissue, and eye donation and transplantation in honor of donors who gave the greatest gifts of life, sight and mobility."
Alex Teska of the Michigan Eye-Bank nominated the council for the Shining Star, citing its success promoting the organ donation registry, including its creation of a popular T-shirt that raises money for the cause as well as sparking conversations about the need for people to sign up.
Congratulations to the Council, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary!
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