Arkansas official warns of online scam operations

Online scams are among the most common as technology evolves.

“Arkansans should take advantage of advances in technology often to make our busy lives easier,” Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said. “But we should all do our due diligence to research companies and apps to ensure that the services are accurate, effective and legitimate.”

Rutledge released the following tips for consumers who decide to pay for services online:

■ Check the site’s privacy policy before providing any personal financial information and determine how the information will be used or shared with others. Also check the site’s statements about the security provided for your information. Some websites’ disclosures are easier to find than others—look at the bottom of the home page, on order forms or in the “About” or “FAQs” section of a site.

■ Pay by credit card, the most secure way. Under federal law, you can dispute the charges if you do not get what you were promised. You may also dispute unauthorized charges on your credit card. Many credit card issuers have “zero liability” policies under which you pay nothing if someone steals and uses your credit card.

■ Keep personal information private. Do not disclose personal information—address, telephone number, Social Security number, bank account number or email address—unless you know who is collecting the information, why they are collecting it and how they will use it.

■ Review monthly credit card and bank statements for any errors or unauthorized purchases promptly and thoroughly.

Notify your credit or debit card issuer immediately if your credit or debit card or checkbook is lost or stolen or if you suspect someone is using your accounts without your permission.

Rutledge encourages Arkansans to check a business’s status with the Attorney General’s Office or the Better Business Bureau to ensure its legitimacy.

For more information about other common scams and consumer-related issues, please call the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at 800-482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov or facebook.com/AGLeslieRutledge.