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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Tips to Avoid Creative Crooks

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Monday, December 15, 2014   

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - It is the season of giving - but for con artists, it's the season of taking, and consumers have to be wary.

Sarah Jennings, state director of AARP South Dakota, said the group has developed some tools to outsmart the scammers through its Fraud Watch Network. For example, she said, there are fake shopping websites to be aware of.

"Scammers are smart and very creative," she said. "We've heard that there are some scammers that will actually develop a website that looks very similar to the legitimate website. And so, you think you are shopping at the place that you were expecting to go - but, in fact, you're giving your credit card number to a con."

Jennings said a guide to avoiding these types of scams is available online at AARP.org/holidayscams.

Jennings said the very popular gift cards are another target for scammers. She said the numbers and codes can be lifted from the cards on the rack in the store before you even buy them.

"With that information, they can often just drain they cards before anyone actually gets a chance to spend anything," she said. "So the suggestion we have there - if you buy your gift card off a rack, you should really ask the cashier to activate the card right there and then, verify the balance, and then always keep that receipt in case there is an issue."

Another widespread scam is the fake charity. According to a recent WalletHub report, South Dakota is the second most generous state in terms of donations - and pretty trusting as well. So, Jennings said it's important to check out those organizations asking for money because some cons will create fake charities and websites, often with names that sound like well-known organizations.

"So, before making any donation," she said, "we encourage people to verify any organization through charitynavigator.org or through the Better Business Bureau."

She said the AARP online guide has more tips on ways to protect against all types of scams.


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