Scams & Fraud

Scammers pretending to be from computer companies rely on successful tech support scams to steal your money, gain access to your computer and personal information, or both.

All charity scams are deplorable, but those pretending to raise funds to support our nation’s veterans are particularly shameful. Last week, the Federal Trade Commission, along with state charities regulators, announced a major takedown of fake veteran charities.

In 2016, there were over 3,600 reported complaints of interstate moving fraud. The offenses include taking goods hostage, overcharges, loss and damage, and insurance issues. The average loss claim was a jaw-dropping $8,000.

South Dakotans can worry a little less about identity theft, thanks to a new law backed by AARP South Dakota.

There are plenty of reputable contests and sweepstakes out there (including some from AARP), and let’s be honest, winning feels great! But there are questionable characters out there too, who are trying to hook you on winning and reel in the profits for themselves.

Hail, wind, fire and tornadoes can make the summer months a dangerous time to live in South Dakota. Unfortunately for many of us, when it comes to natural disasters it may not be a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’.

With the tech support scam, you get an online popup or a call from a well-known tech company (like Microsoft or Apple) saying that a virus has been identified on your computer. The scammer convinces you that he can fix the problem for a fee. Victims who catch on and stop payment are now getting hit with an associated scam.

A law passed in 2015 requires Medicare to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards. Beneficiaries will begin to receive their new cards in May, and the rollout will continue into 2019. This is a good move, since Social Security numbers are the key to identity theft, and having them displayed on Medicare cards has long presented a risk. Unfortunately, scammers have come up with ways to take advantage of this change.

What’s the best way to protect yourself from con artists' latest tricks? Learn how a scam works. What's the best way to do that? Go to the source.

Join our series of online Q&A sessions to learn how to avoid them.