Fighting Fraud This Fall: Free Shred Events & Coffee with the Attorney General

Every two seconds in the US, someone's identity is stolen, resulting in tens of billions of dollars landing in the pockets of con artists. According to an AARP report, American adults lost a total of $47 billion to identity fraud in 2024.

That's why AARP South Dakota is focusing on fraud this fall, with several events designed to help protect you, your personal information and your money.

What is Identity Fraud?

Traditional identity fraud occurs when a scammer obtains someone’s personal information, such as a Social Security number, home address, date of birth or bank account data, and uses it for fraud or other illicit purposes. Criminals use other people's personal information to access bank accounts, make credit card purchases or open new credit card or bank accounts.

There are different ways criminals go after your personal information. They use phishing attempts, which are emails “fishing” (phishing) for personally identifying information, or they include links containing malware that can infect your device and steal data. Most often, the criminal will use an impersonation scam, where you’ll receive calls, emails or texts that appear to be from a government agency, law enforcement, a delivery service, your bank or a toll road service. The impostor will attempt to get you to share your Social Security number, account number or other sensitive information.

Text messages are increasingly becoming fraud criminals’ favorite way to reach potential victims: 54 percent of survey respondents who experienced identity fraud in 2024 were first contacted by text, up from 49 percent in 2023

While online scams are probably the most common, it is possible for would-be criminals to get your personal information from documents discarded in the trash.

FREE Document Shredding Events

To help you securely discard personal or financial documents, AARP South Dakota is offering free document shredding events in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen and Rapid City this fall.

Please bring your papers in plastic bags, not cardboard boxes, for quick and secure shredding. Garbage services will not be available on-site.

Sioux Falls
Wednesday, September 17 from 2-4 p.m.
Sioux Falls Convention Center Parking Lot, 1201 West Avenue
*We will be just east of Canaries Stadium
Pre-register here.
 
Aberdeen
Thursday, September 18 from 1-3 p.m.
Ken’s SuperFair Foods, 2105 6^th Avenue Southeast
Pre-register here.

Rapid City
Friday, October 18 from 2-4 p.m. Mountain Time
Uptown Rapid, 2200 North Maple Avenue (near JC Penney)
Pre-register here.

Registration is not required, but pre-registration ensures fast lane service. Please register online using the links above or you can call 877-926-8300.

Coffee & Conversation Events with South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley

Wondering what types of scams are happening in South Dakota and what you can do to protect yourself? Ask the Attorney General!

AARP South Dakota, together with the office of Attorney General Marty Jackley, are providing opportunities for South Dakotans to come learn more about scams and fraud happening in the state.

Aberdeen
Thursday, October 16 at 10 a.m.
K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library
The event is free, but registration is required.

Sioux Falls
Thursday, October 30 at 10 a.m.
Location to be announced
The event is free, but registration is required. (Registration coming soon!)

Rapid City
To be announced later.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network is designed to provide both national and local information to help protect you and your loved ones from identity theft and fraud. It’s free and open to everyone of any age. Visit our website www.aarp.org/FraudWatchNetwork and sign up to get the latest fraud alerts in your inbox.