Consumer Alert- Attorney General Long Warns South Dakotans of New Telemarketing Scam

PIERRE, S.D. – Attorney General Larry Long is warning South Dakota consumers to be cautious of telemarketers who offer free vouchers to local discount retailers. The catch is that the telemarketers are asking for a bank account number to authorize a $4.95 shipping and handling fee to process and send the voucher to the consumer. However, rather than sending a voucher, these individuals will use the account information to withdraw funds from the consumer's bank account without consent. These are not valid offers.

"Fraudulent telemarketers will use any method to obtain consumers’ personal and financial information," said Long. "The idea of free merchandise is enough to get most people to listen to the telemarketing spiel, but this is just another attempt to steal your money and your identity." 

Attorney General Long warns consumers to:

• Never give out personal information such as date of birth, social security number, bank account or credit card numbers over the phone; 
• Remember that crooks need only your bank account number to withdraw money from your bank account; 
• Never respond to "free" offers that require the payment of any kind of fee; 
• Always check your monthly statements and dispute or report any suspicious activity on your account; 
• If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

If you have questions or concerns about this scam you should contact the Division of Consumer Protection at 1-800-300-1986 or consumerhelp@state.sd.us.

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