Leah Miller

No matter where you live, fraud is never far away. Protect yourself by knowing what to watch out for in your own area – and warn others by reporting your own experiences with the AARP Fraud Watch Network’s scam-tracking map.

Scammers have gotten good at convincing unsuspecting victims that they have a computer virus. Their end game is to take your money or gain access to your personal financial information.

The federal government grant scam has been around for years but now, scammers are finding new targets through social media.

IRS imposters are back at their old game – but this time, with a new twist. The IRS has reported that this current scam is being seen all across the country.

The summer months unleash door-to-door sales agents in communities across the country. The AARP SD Fraud Watch Network has already received reports of a scam run by con artists claiming to be from a home security company. While many home security companies conduct legitimate business using door-to-door sales agents, be wary of anyone using high pressure or scare tactics or those creating a false sense of urgency. These are common traits of a scam!

As severe weather begins to pop up across the northern plains, so do crafty con artists! The stormy summer months are prime time for home repair scams. The general ruse involves someone coming to your door and offering to do work on your home, typically at a steep discount, but never really delivering on the promise of 'improvement'.

Con artists don't care how hard you've worked. They steal billions from Americans like you every year! But you can learn how to fight back with the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

There are plenty of reputable contests and sweepstakes out there (including some from AARP). But there are also a lot of bad players looking to bilk you out of your money. Just today South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley released a statement warning consumers that winners of the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes do not receive phone calls about their prizes.

AARP South Dakota is excited to congratulate our 2017 South Dakota Grandparent Essay Award Winner, Emma Vandenbark, a 5 th grader from the Colome Consolidated School District. Emma was recognized at the South Dakota Retired School Personnel (SDRSP) Convention in Deadwood, SD on Wednesday, May 3.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that scammers are creating fake websites that look like known and trusted news sites to sell “brain booster” pills.