State officials urge Arkansans to watch for scams targeting elderly

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and state officials are warning of the dangers of scams targeting older Arkansans.

The Arkansas Securities Department is advising Arkansans to be on the lookout for potential scams, which could come via social media or emails, or even from family members and caregivers.

The Department’s interim commissioner Campbell McLaurin says financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of abuse, with the internet making it much easier for scammers to target vulnerable adults.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-06-23/state-officials-urge-arkansans-to-watch-for-scams-targeting-elderly

Maria Fabrizio/NPR

Officials with the Arkansas Securities Department are warning against financial abuse of elderly Arkansans, one of the demographic groups most vulnerable to scams.

Attorney General Alert: Don’t Let Scam Artists Invade Your Devices

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is warning Arkansans of a prevalent tech support scam infecting common electronic devices, such as smart phones, laptops and tablets. This antivirus software scam usually begins with a phone call or pop-up message on the consumer’s electronic device. The communication is actually from a fake tech support representative claiming to be from a well-known technology company.

“I urge all Arkansans to be cautious when anyone asks for access to their devices or private information,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Scam artists scour the internet and phonebooks to find unsuspecting victims who are willing to share their sensitive information.”

How the scam works is that a representative or message will claim to the consumer that there is a virus infecting a device or that the consumer’s virus protection has expired. The consumer is instructed to install software immediately in order to protect the device and private information. Often times, the scammer claims to need sensitive information such as account numbers, date of birth or Social Security number in order to remedy the issue. Even more terrifying, the scammer will con a victim into giving access to the device. When the device is accessed in this way, the scammers install applications that allow remote access to the device any time without the victim’s knowledge or permission. The scam artists use this information for illegal activities, such as gaining access to consumer's bank accounts. Scammers will quickly drain the accounts and move on to another unsuspecting victim.

Remember these tips when safely navigating online:

• No legitimate company will ever send you an unsolicited email asking for your personal information.

• If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply.

• Contact the business identified in the original message directly by using the customer service number provided to you on a reliable statement to verify the legitimacy of the message.

• Do not give sensitive information in response to an unsolicited request.

• Immediately delete all suspicious emails, and never open email attachments or click on links from unknown sources.

The Attorney General’s Office provides a tip card for consumers on how to spot phishing scams, information for parents to spot cyberbullying and tips on internet safety.

For more information and tips to avoid scams and other consumer-related issues, contact the Attorney General’s office by calling (800) 482-8982, emailing consumer@arkansasag.gov, or visiting ArkansasAG.gov.

Attorney General Alert: April Showers May Bring Storm Recovery Scams

LITTLE ROCK – Every spring, Arkansas and other southern states are hit by heavy rains and severe weather. While many Arkansans want to help their neighbors clean up after a storm, con artists will seize the opportunity to take advantage during a vulnerable moment. Arkansans must keep their home and family safe from a fraudster trying to make a quick buck.

“Spring storms and recovery efforts often bring an increase in door-to-door scam artists,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Make sure you follow steps to avoid falling prey to con artists who use recovery efforts to scam Arkansans.”

Attorney General Rutledge encourages you to follow these tips to find legitimate individuals to perform your home repairs:  

• Beware of door-to-door solicitors selling home-repair work. To find someone reputable, ask friends or family who have recently used a home-repair contractor or professional. Consider contacting the Arkansas Contractor’s Licensing Board to verify that the contractor is licensed and has not had any complaints filed against it.

• Avoid any home-repair solicitor who asks for an upfront payment or who will not provide you with a written contract.

• Get at least three written estimates. A reputable contractor or professional will never try to pressure you to obtain your business.

• Obtain and check at least three references from your contractor or professional.

• Check with the Attorney General’s office or the Better Business Bureau to find out if the company has a complaint history.

• Obtain a written and detailed contract that includes the grade, quality, name brand and quantity of any materials to be used. The name and address of the contractor must be on the contract.

• Avoid paying for the entire job up front. One-third paid in advance, one-third paid halfway through the job and one-third paid upon completion is a better plan, helping assure that your project will be completed. Never make the final payment until you have had an opportunity to inspect the work.

• Remember that all contracts resulting from a home-solicitation sale generally must include a buyer’s right to cancel within three business days after the contract is signed.

• Make sure all warranties and guarantees are in writing.

• A contractor cannot promise that your insurance company will cover the work done. Verify your insurance coverage and authorized contractors before you agree to pay for repairs.

For more information and tips to avoid scams and other consumer-related issues, contact the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at consumer@arkansasag.gov or visit ArkansasAG.gov.

Attorney General Alert: Don’t Fall Prey to a False Family Emergency

LITTLE ROCK – As spring break approaches, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is warning of the all too popular “family emergency” scam. The scam starts with an Arkansan receiving a panicked phone call from an unknown number claiming to be a family member, like a favorite grandchild, or a friend desperately needing money to get out of trouble. The Arkansan’s initial reaction is to immediately lend a hand to the loved one in need by offering to send money via wire transfer or purchase a gift card, where the money cannot be retrieved or traced. The reality is that the friend or relative on the phone is actually a con artist looking to profit from rushed emotional decisions.

“Con artists are ruthless and will quickly take advantage of the innocent with a simple phone call,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “If an Arkansan gets a call like this, he or she should hang up immediately and directly contact the person the caller claimed to be, and then report the scam to my office.”

Attorney General Rutledge recommends the following strategies to avoid falling victim to the “family emergency” scheme:

• Resist pressure to act quickly.

• Ask the caller for his or her name, and if it’s not provided, hang up immediately.

• Never give or wire money based on any unsolicited phone call.

• Verify the friend or family member’s location by calling the family member directly, or confirm with another family member or friend.

• Do not send money to an unknown account or entity.

• Have a plan in place when a family member is traveling to easily identify whether or not a need is genuine.

For more information related to scams, call the Attorney General’s Office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov.

Attorney General Alert: Buyer Beware of Door-to-Door Meat Sales Says, ‘Arkansans should be cautious when purchasing food products from door-to-door salesmen’

LITTLE ROCK -- Shopping at home can be a safe and convenient way to make necessary purchases, especially for older adults, stay-at-home parents, and people with chronic health conditions that make it difficult to leave the home. Most grocery shopping from home occurs over the internet with delivery or curbside pickup orders, but some consumers make purchases from sellers who come to their doors. While purchases from licensed door-to-door sellers can be safe, questionably sourced meats may be low quality or rancid. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is urging Arkansans to use caution when making door-to-door purchases.

“Arkansans should be cautious when purchasing food products from door-to-door salesmen,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “There are many individuals who try to resell old meat in order to turn a profit.”

Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe while considering meat purchases:

• Know your municipality’s laws on door-to-door selling. If your municipality requires a permit to sell products door-to-door, ask to see the salesperson’s license to sell.

• Look up business reviews with your local Better Business Bureau to read any complaints about the seller.

• Be informed. Ask for a brochure or other literature from the company and read it carefully. If you aren’t sure about the sourcing and distribution of the meat, reconsider making a purchase.

• Don’t buy anything out of a truck or car trunk that isn’t refrigerated. Unrefrigerated meat may be unsafe to consume.

• Check for USDA grading information on the product. Every package should have a USDA seal of inspection, along with a label identifying the cut, ingredients, and net weight.

• If you believe that the seller is attempting to pressure or intimidate you into making a purchase instead of allowing you to make an informed decision, think about what the seller is trying to hide and consider not making a purchase.

• Get a receipt. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Cooling-Off Rule gives purchasers three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made in your home. The salesperson must orally inform you of your cancellation rights, provide two copies of a cancellation form, and a copy of your contract or receipt. The contract or receipt must contain the date of the sale, the name and address of the seller, and an explanation of the buyer’s right to cancel. Always keep your receipt in case you need to cancel the purchase or contact the seller.

For additional information about meat safety, visit the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Services website (www.fsis.usda.gov) or call the USDA’s Meat and Poultry Hotline (1-888-674-6854).

If you wish to file a complaint against a door-to-door seller with the Attorney General’s office, you can do so by calling (800) 482-8982, emailing consumer@arkansasag.gov, or visiting ArkansasAG.gov.