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Michigan starts its first cybercrime hotline in Grand Rapids

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Michigan now has a cybercrime support and recovery hotline.  Kent County residents can dial 2-1-1 if they are the victim of cybercrime.

       If someone is the victim of an online crime  like cyberstalking or identify theft  they call the hotline. Then they’ll be connected with a trained specialist who can walk them through what resources are available and the next steps they should take.  

       Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist was at the launch of the hotline. He says this is about peace of mind.

“When something bad happens to you and you don’t know what to do, that’s another chapter of trauma, if you will.”

For now, the program is in Kent County only. But supporters plan to expand the service to 13 more counties next year. Those include Mason, Grand Traverse and Montcalm.