Preventing Fraud During the Holiday Season with South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley
As we approach the holiday season, scams and fraud are unfortunately more prevalent, with fraudsters taking advantage of the festive spirit. In the latest episode of Tips for Change, we sat down with South Dakota's Attorney General Marty Jackley to discuss how South Dakotans can protect themselves from scams.
Marty shared invaluable tips on identifying fraudulent activities, how to avoid common scams, and what steps to take if you’ve fallen victim to fraud. This conversation is packed with practical advice that will help keep your holiday season merry and scam-free.
Key Takeaways:
Scammers often target people during the busy holiday season when people are more distracted and generous.
Common scams include postal scams and pop-up ads on social media, with fraudsters asking for personal information or payments for non-existent deliveries or products.
Look out for red flags like unexpected requests for wire transfers, too-good-to-be-true prices, or unsolicited prizes requiring payment for shipping.
Protect your personal information and be cautious when shopping online. Always check for secure websites and verify unfamiliar companies before making a purchase.
South Dakota’s Attorney General’s office provides resources and investigations for those who fall victim to scams, helping recover funds or stop fraudulent activities.
Understanding Fraud Prevention This Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, fraudsters take advantage of the busier shopping times and people’s generosity. Scammers often target individuals purchasing gifts, donating to charity, or making online transactions. Marty emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and cautious during this busy season. For instance, fraudulent text messages and emails often pose as shipping notices or charity requests, hoping to trick consumers into giving away personal details or money.
Common Holiday Scams to Watch Out For
Marty shared several scams that have been prevalent this year, particularly ones that involve:
Postal Scams: These scams often involve text or email messages claiming there is an issue with a delivery. They ask for additional information, such as payment or personal details, to resolve the issue.
Pop-Up Scams: Social media ads that seem too good to be true, often leading to fraudulent websites where consumers are tricked into making a purchase.
Romance Scams: These scams target people through dating apps, encouraging them to invest in cryptocurrency or other investments, only for the scammer to steal the money.
Recognizing Red Flags
When it comes to recognizing fraudulent activities, Marty emphasized the importance of looking for a few key signs:
Requests for Money: If someone claims you’ve won a prize or sweepstakes but needs payment for shipping, it’s a major red flag.
Unusual Payment Methods: Legitimate businesses do not ask for wire transfers or gift cards as payment. Always be cautious if asked to pay this way.
Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers: If an offer seems too good to be true—such as extremely low prices or offers that pressure you to buy immediately—take a moment to pause and verify its legitimacy.
Protecting Yourself When Shopping Online
Online shopping is one of the most convenient ways to make holiday purchases, but it also opens up opportunities for fraud. Marty recommended the following tips for online safety:
Avoid sharing personal information unless absolutely necessary. Be cautious if a site asks for your social security number, bank details, or other private data.
Check for typos in website addresses, which can indicate fraudulent sites trying to imitate trusted brands.
Look for secure sites by ensuring the URL starts with “https” and checking for a padlock icon in the address bar.
Marty also suggested using credit cards instead of debit cards for online purchases, as they offer better protection against fraud and unauthorized charges.
Episode Mentions:
About Attorney General Marty Jackley:
Marty was raised in Sturgis and graduated from the South Dakota School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering with honors. After receiving his law degree from USD, he served as a clerk for then Chief Federal Judge Richard Battey. Marty then joined the Rapid City law firm of Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson and Ashmore where he became a partner focusing on criminal law, civil law and complex business litigation and transactions. At this time, he also served as a special assistant attorney general prosecuting controlled substance felonies.
In 2006, Marty was appointed and unanimously confirmed by the US Senate as US Attorney for South Dakota. He was the recipient of the Prosecutor of the Year for 2008 for outstanding prosecutorial service.
From 2009 - 2019, Marty served as South Dakota's Attorney General. In 2015, he served as Chairman of the National Association of Attorneys General and also as a past Chairman of the Western Attorneys General. In 2016, Marty received the National Attorney General of the Year award from his fellow Attorneys General. After serving 10 years as SD Attorney General, Marty returned to the Rapid City law firm of Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson, and Ashmore as a senior partner opening up a Pierre branch office. He also served as State's Attorney for both Jones and Haakon counties and as a Special Prosecutor for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate during this time. Marty received the State's Attorney's Distinguished Service Award in 2019. In 2022 Marty was elected for a fourth term as the South Dakota Attorney General. For the 2023 - 2024 year, he is serving as Chairman to the Attorney General Alliance.
Marty has two children, Michael, who is studying Mechanical Engineering at SDSU, and Isabella, a freshman biology major also at SDSU. Marty also enjoys spending family time at his farm in Vale, South Dakota, and his ranch in Pierre, South Dakota.
