The South Dakota Department of Human Services is warning the elderly, individuals with disabilities and their families to be aware of scammers during the holiday season.
Scammers are using the holidays and the current pandemic to send phishing emails, texts, phone calls and are using social media to try to steal money and a consumer’s personal information.
DHS is offering the following tips to help protect consumers from scams:
- Do not respond to calls or text from unknown numbers;
- Never share your personal or financial information with solicitors via email, text, or by phone;
- Use caution when being pressured to share information or making payments immediately;
- If someone threatens your life for money, hang up and call the authorities;
- Be suspicious of anyone asking for your password or account login information; and
- Do not click on links in text messages or emails.
To report a scam or any fraudulent behavior, please contact DHS’s Adult Protective Services at 605-773-5990 or the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office Division of Consumer Protection at 1-800-300-1986.
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