Consumer Alerts

Consumer Alert: Looking for Tickets?
September 09, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Fall is on its way, which means football season is here and unfortunately so are scalpers looking to take advantage of ticket buyers. Many Arkansans may be planning trips to check out their favorite team and watch the action in person. Some may choose to see the Razorbacks, the Red...
Consumer Alert: Staying Safe on Social Media
September 02, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – When used appropriately, social media sites are an enjoyable and effective way to keep in touch with friends and family. But there are potential dangers associated with these sites, including online predators. Social networking sites can provide a false sense of security for users who...
Consumer Alert: Understanding Apps
August 26, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Technology is constantly evolving and leading to new ways to make everyday tasks a little easier − from grocery shopping to mapping out directions and automatically paying the bills. According to Pew Research, nearly two-thirds of Americans now own a smartphone. More people are...
Consumer Alert: Be Cautious with Credit
August 19, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Young adults across Arkansas are determining the best course of action to manage upcoming expenses. One option many will consider is signing up for a credit card.

Credit cards serve a great purpose, but consumers need to remember that carrying balances on credit cards can be quite...
Consumer Alert: Protecting Those Who Serve
August 12, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Federal laws protect our active-duty servicemen and women and their families from mortgage foreclosures and exorbitant interest rates.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued today’s consumer alert to educate Arkansas’s active-duty servicemen and women and families about...
Consumer Alert: Is that Data Breach Letter Real?
August 05, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Attorney General’s Public Protection Department has received a number of calls regarding a recent data breach at Medical Informatics Engineering (MIE). MIE services health care providers by storing personal and protected health information of patients across the country,...
Consumer Alert: First-Time Renter
July 29, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – As summer winds down and young adults turn their attention back to school or work, many are deciding where to live. College students are making plans to move to their college or university and weighing their housing options of living in a dorm or renting, while others are looking for...
Consumer Alert: No Big Payouts in the International Lottery
July 22, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – International scammers are once again turning to Arkansas to make some extra money by telling Arkansans they have won money in an international lottery. These con artists contact Arkansas consumers through direct mail, email or a phone call requesting a small fee in order to process...
Consumer Alert: Don’t be Scammed by your ‘Favorite Grandson’
July 15, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Scammers are reviving an old ploy to swindle the elderly out of their money. The Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Public Protection Department has recently seen an uptick in reports of the “favorite grandson” scam.

These con artists prey on the elderly by calling and identifying...
Consumer Alert: Military Consumer Protection Day
July 08, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Military service members, veterans and their families are often subject to unfair, deceptive or abusive financial practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) began collecting data specific to military personnel and their families in 2011 and reports approximately 29,500...
Consumer Alert: Plan a Safe July 4
July 01, 2015
LITTLE ROCK - Since 1776, Americans have celebrated Independence Day with festivities ranging from barbecues and parades to concerts and fireworks. These traditions are great opportunities for family and friends to gather and celebrate the holiday. President John Adams once declared that...
Consumer Alert: Avoiding Vacation Scams
June 24, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – School is out for the summer, and many Arkansans are taking vacations. These trips can be great for relaxation and fun, but consumers should take precautions to protect themselves from scams and con artists.

Michigan-based financial advisor, Rick Bloom, wrote in an op-ed piece last...
Consumer Alert: Boating Safety
June 16, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansans are looking for ways to cool down during the long summer days. Many will head to one of the State’s beautiful lakes or rivers. With more than 200,000 boats registered statewide according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, many residents spend a lot of time boating to...
Consumer Alert: Stay Safe in the Water
June 08, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Pools are opening for the summer, and families are heading to lakes and beaches to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. All of this means more people will be spending hot summer days in and around the water.

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge issued today’s consumer alert...
Consumer Alert: Make Sure a Scam Does Not Ruin Your Wedding
May 28, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Summer weddings are common in Arkansas, and brides and grooms are currently making final preparations. However, couples need to take proper precautions to avoid having their big day turn into a big pay day for con artists posing as vendors.

Reports of these types of scams have...
Consumer Alert: Car Sellers Beware
May 22, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Reports are increasing of a scam targeting the private, online sale of vehicles. The National Insurance Crime Bureau is warning consumers of a scheme targeting people selling vehicles on the popular online marketplace, Craigslist. Law enforcement has reported nearly 100 instances of a...
Consumer Alert: Don’t Get Over Your Head in Flood Damage
May 15, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Weekend storms and heavy rainfall caused damage and destruction across Arkansas. An EF2 tornado touched down in Nashville Sunday night killing two and destroying structures in its path. Meanwhile, high water is creating another set of problems for some Arkansans, with more rain set to...
Consumer Alert: Your Identity is Stolen. Now What?
May 07, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Identity thieves can hit at any time, wrecking your financial integrity. According to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Consumer Sentinel Network, nearly 2,500 Arkansans filed ID theft complaints in 2014, ranking the Natural State 15th in victims of identity theft.

Arkansas...
CONSUMER ALERT: Be Cautious When Helping With International Disasters
April 30, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – A recent report in AtlasofGiving.com ranks Arkansas as one of the top 10 states for charitable giving in 2014, and many Arkansans will continue that trend by helping those in Nepal who are suffering in the aftermath of last Saturday’s devastating earthquake.

Arkansas Attorney...
CONSUMER ALERT: Disposing of Unused or Expired Prescription Medications
April 23, 2015
LITTLE ROCK – Many Arkansans have unused or expired prescription medications because they are unsure of how to properly dispose of them.
Common disposal mistakes include flushing medication down the toilet, crushing pills or throwing them in the trash. All of these methods pose serious health and...