Attorney General Jackley Warns of Text Message Scams During International Fraud Awareness Week

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is urging consumers to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited text messages, warning that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in targeting individuals.

“Scammers have become more adept at tailoring their messages to individual people,” said Attorney General Jackley. “Check first before clicking onto links found in text messages and never send money or personal information via text.”

The Attorney General's warning comes ahead of International Fraud Awareness Week, which runs from November 16-22. The state’s Consumer Protection Division continues to receive reports on various text message schemes, including:

·         Fake Delivery Notifications

·         Bank or account alerts

·         Government Imposters

·         Prize notifications

·         “Wrong Number” texts

·         Job offers

Jackley outlined key indicators consumers should watch for:

·         Unexpected messages about a service you haven’t used or a contest you haven’t entered.

·         Messages demanding that you take immediate action.

·         Legitimate companies rarely ask a consumer to log into a link posted in a text message or ask for personal or financial information.

·         Text messages that include poor grammar or spelling.

“Take your time when you receive any type of unsolicited phone call, email or text message,” Jackley advised. “If you are unsure, ask for the advice of a family member or call the organization directly through its official contact information.”

Consumers who believe they have been a victim of any scam are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or online at https://consumer.sd.gov/. Reporting a scam may help authorities prevent others from becoming victims.