Attorney General Larry Long Warns of Unsolicited Text Messaging Scams

PIERRE, S.D.-   Attorney General Larry Long is warning South Dakota cell phone users to be leery of unsolicited charges that might appear on their cell phone bills. The Consumer Protection Division has received complaints from consumers statewide who have received unwanted text-messages for ring tones, cellphone backgrounds, joke-a-day, horiscopes and much more. 

These charges are showing up on monthly bills described as “download” with no further explanation. They often come with a recurring monthly fee and unless you are looking closely you might not notice these types of charges on your bill. If you do not have text messaging as part of your monthly plan you will also receive an additional charge from your carrier for each text message received.

Here are a few cell phone tips you might want to remember:

• Guard your cell phone number and give it out sparingly. 
• If you purchase a product using your cell phone, make sure you know whether it's a one-time purchase or, if it's a subscription, the terms, how to cancel and how much you will be billed. 
• Review your monthly cell phone bill carefully, and call your carrier if you see charges you don't recognize. 
• Don't reply to text messages you don't recognize.

If you have been a victim of this scam or would like additional information contact the Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or consumerhelp@state.sd.us.