News/Events

LITTLE ROCK – Injuries and accidents are common while stringing lights, lighting candles and making homes look festive for the upcoming holiday season. Accidents interrupt the fun of the season if consideration is not used when decorating to avoid common mistakes that could cause injury or destruction.

“The holiday season is a time to focus on family,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “Small mistakes can lead to large problems if we forget to make safety a priority. Most accidents are avoidable if we take extra time during preparations this year.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips for Arkansans planning to hang lights this holiday season:

• Select lights with labels indicating they have been safety tested by independent laboratories.
• Check each set of lights. Look for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections. Discard or repair, if necessary, before use.
• When using lights outdoors, make sure they are certified for outdoor use and are securely fastened to protect against damaging winds.
• Only use insulated staples or hoods to affix lights. Never use nails or tacks.
• Do not use more than three standard-size sets of lights per extension cord, and ensure that each extension cord is rated for the intended use.
• Always turn off or unplug when you go to bed or leave your home.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that candles were the source of 6,500 residential fires annually between 2010 and 2012. To avoid fires caused by candles, never leave a candle unattended and keep them on a stable surface and away from items that can burn easily, like trees decorations, curtains and furniture.

Use caution when climbing ladders and make sure all locks are properly engaged, keep your body near the middle of the step and face the ladder while climbing. Avoid using the top step of the ladder unless it was designed of that purpose.

LITTLE ROCK – Scam artists are back to scaring Arkansans into believing the IRS is sending law enforcement to track them down. But this time the criminals are making more specific threats of suspending business or driver’s license, according to the IRS.

“The IRS is never going to call you demanding immediate payment on back taxes,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “These scam artists often spoof the caller ID to make it look as though the IRS is calling, and even sound like an authentic IRS agent. But rather than making unsolicited phone calls, the IRS will mail multiple notices and never ask for personal or financial information.”

The IRS recently reminded consumers how they can easily recognize scammers who call. Consumers should know the IRS will not do the following:

• Call demanding immediate payment. The IRS will not call if you owe taxes without first sending you a bill in the mail.
• Demand that taxes are paid without providing the individual the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
• Require a payment of taxes a certain way. For example, demanding a payment with a prepaid debit card.
• Ask consumers for a credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
• Threaten to bring in police or other agencies to arrest you for not paying.

LITTLE ROCK – Identity thieves and other con artists do not take time off during the holidays. In fact, these criminals often ramp up their schemes to target Arkansans during holiday shopping. Many of us are making more purchases than normal, especially online, which means there are more credit and debit card transactions to track.

LITTLE ROCK – There is no “quick” and “easy” way to eliminate debt and those that say it can be done are scams. Debt is a crippling crisis for some people across the Natural State. Whether it is credit card debt, student loan debt or outstanding medical bills, Arkansans want to find a way out.

“It is possible to get out of debt and there are many programs which offer assistance,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “But there is no easy answer. Getting out of debt takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice and any organization that promotes an easy process is likely a scam and Arkansans should avoid falling for their tricks, which are likely to only create additional financial woes.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following list of red flags that could signal an unscrupulous entity:

· Charges any more than a nominal fee before it settles your debts.

· Pressures you to make “voluntary contributions.” That is just another name for fees.

· Touts a “new government program” to bail out personal credit card debt.

· Guarantees it can make your unsecured debt go away.

· Tells you to stop communicating with your creditors.

· Tells you it can stop all debt collection calls and lawsuits.

· Promises that your unsecured debts can be paid off for just pennies on the dollar.

· Refuses to send you free information about the services it provides unless you provide personal financial information, such as credit card numbers and balances.

· Tries to enroll you in a debt relief program without spending time reviewing your financial situation.

· Offers to enroll you in a debt relief program that does not include budgeting and money-management skills training.

· Demands that you make payments into a debt relief program before your creditors have accepted you into the program.

LITTLE ROCK -- Consumers may have an issue with their new car and take it to the dealership for repairs, but on occasion the problem persists. Any recurring problem, including defects that impair the use, value or safety of the vehicle could deem the vehicle a lemon. Consumers have the right to request a refund or replacement of the vehicle through the Lemon Law dispute resolution process.

Arkansas’s Lemon Law provides some security to the often unpredictable vehicle retail world. The vehicle’s Quality Assurance Period extends for two years from the date of original delivery or the first 24,000 miles of operation, whichever is longer.

“Arkansas’s Lemon Law guarantees protection for a potentially unreliable vehicle,” says Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “The process to file a claim requires several important steps and can be done by the consumer. My office has also updated ‘A Consumer’s Guide to the Arkansas Lemon Law’ which is available on our website.”

The Attorney General offered the following tips to consumers who notice issues after purchasing a new vehicle:

LITTLE ROCK - Clowns and ghosts are not the only things you and your family need to beware of this Halloween. Many Arkansans enjoy the fun and festivities, including trick-or-treating, but people often forget important tips to keep their children and night scare free.

“Children wait all year for the day they get to dress up in their favorite costume and stock up on candy,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “Halloween should be a fun and exciting night for everyone, but adults should also remember to take the necessary steps to keep children safe.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips to parents to avoid unexpected and unnecessary Halloween scares:

• Select flame-resistant materials, masks, beards and wigs and try to avoid baggy sleeves and billowing skirts.
• Choose costumes with light or bright colors whenever possible, or trim a darker costume with reflective tape. Consider also having children carry a flashlight to make sure they can see and are visible to drivers.
• To avoid tripping and falling, choose costumes that fit well and do not drag on the ground.
• Make sure masks fit securely, have adequate ventilation and provide unobstructed views. Consider applying make-up to children’s faces instead of selecting loose-fitting masks.
• Swords, knives and other accessories should be made of soft and flexible materials.
• Take children to familiar neighborhoods and approach only homes with outside lighting.
• Remind children of everyday safety rules, such as not getting into cars or talking to strangers, watching both ways before crossing streets and crossing with the light when they are trick-or-treating.
• Adults should always accompany small children to caution them against running into streets and across lawns or driveways. Children should use sidewalks where available.
• Encourage children to wait until they get home to eat candy so that adults can inspect the goodies.
• Parents should throw away any treats that are not commercially wrapped or appear to be tampered with.

Attorney General Rutledge also reminds drivers to keep an eye out for children darting out from between parked cars or walking on roadways, curbs or streets. Moving vehicles can be the biggest danger. Motorists should enter and exit driveways and alleys carefully and watch attentively for children in dark clothing at dusk.