It seems like each week warnings of a new scam surface — fraudsters and criminals trying to threaten or trick people into revealing their private information.

This week, however, is devoted to educating the public to recognize the more common methods used by these scammers.

Today is Utility Scam Awareness Day. In a news release, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel advised consumers to remain vigilant if someone claims utility service will be disconnected without prior notification. Utilities typically notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, including steps to restore service. Never respond to demands for immediate payment or share personal information with unsolicited callers, visitors or emails. Instead, hang up, close the door or delete the email. To verify the legitimacy of a claim, contact the utility provider directly using a phone number from their official website or utility bills.

That advice comes during International Fraud Awareness Week, when the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services also reminds consumers to protect their personal and financial information.

“Fraud schemes have become more sophisticated, often using a recognizable phone number or caller ID to trick consumers into disclosing sensitive information,” DIFS Director Anita Fox said in a news release. “The most important thing you can do to protect your information is to never give out your personal information to anyone who contacts you, no matter how legitimate the call, text or email seems.”

Steps consumers can take to avoid falling victim to fraud include:

— NEVER give personal or account information to anyone who calls you, even if the caller says it is for “verification purposes.” Personal information or identity-verifying information should be provided only to people or companies you have contacted.

— If the person contacting you says there is a problem that must be resolved immediately, hang up and call the phone number you know will get you to someone who can be trusted with personal or account information. This could be the phone number on your debit or credit card, account statement or on mailed correspondence from the company. Do NOT call phone numbers or click on links provided in text messages or voicemails by the person contacting you, and never reply to an unsolicited text message.

— In addition to a password to log into accounts, use multifactor authentication, such as a security code sent to you via text message or email. Do NOT provide this security code to anyone under any circumstance. Other multifactor authentication measures can include a scan of your fingerprint, retina or face on a mobile device, or a passcode via an authentication app.

Consumers who suspect fraud should report it to the DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit, or FIU, which investigates such activity related to the insurance and financial markets. DIFS also works with the attorney general and other law enforcement to investigate these cases for prosecution. Suspected fraud can be reported to the FIU safely and, in most cases, anonymously by calling 877-999-6442 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday or by going to Michigan.gov/ReportFraud2DIFS.