FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :      Thursday, August 23, 2012  
CONTACT:    Sara Rabern,  (605) 773-3215

Phone Scam Targets Several in Hanson County

PIERRE, S.D  -  Attorney General Marty Jackley and the Hanson County Sheriff Randy Bartlett are warning South Dakotans to be cautious of cold calls from individuals who claim to be state or county officials requesting payment for debts owed  to these entities. The caller immediately asks for personal identifying information including: bank account information, credit card information and social security numbers. This is followed with the threat of arrest by local law enforcement when the personal identifying information is not provided.

“Right now the calls seem to be targeting Hanson County residents, but citizens throughout the state need to be aware of these deliberate attempts to steal this personal identifying information,” said Jackley.

“Do not provide personal identifying information over the phone unless you have initiated the phone call,” said Sheriff Bartlett. “Government entities do not conduct business in this manner.”

If you have fallen victim of this scam, please contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or at consumerhelp@state.sd.us.

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