News/Events

As the most popular shopping days of the year are upon Arkansans, scam artists are proactively searching for opportunities to steal your identity, money and personal information. Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has identified best practices that will be rolled out throughout the week for consumers that can be used during the entire holiday season.

“Every Christmas season, many Arkansans experience some form of fraud from a con artist or bad actor who tries to steal your personal identity, bank account or credit card information, or who fails to uphold the terms of a sales agreement,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday often have us plugging in credit and debit card numbers online where predatory scam artists could be lurking, waiting for an opportunity to steal your money.”

Every year, countless American shoppers fall victim to identity thieves by not following a few simple rules. Attorney General Rutledge provides the following tips to help keep consumers safe while shopping online:

Year round, scammers will steal money from Arkansans by posing as veterans charities and requesting donations. These scams result in money being directed into the pockets of con artists rather than the veterans charities that rely on them. Attorney General Rutledge knows that with Veterans Day it is important to educate consumers on recognizing charitable solicitation fraud and distinguishing between fake and real charities.

“It’s unbelievable that con artists will create charities named similarly to existing, trustworthy organizations in the name of our beloved and dedicated military,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “Knowing and asking the correct questions will alert Arkansans to potential scams. I am determined to protect Arkansans’ hard-earned money and especially those helping veterans and our brave servicemen and women.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips to help consumers ensure an organization’s legitimacy before giving money:

Says, “hunt safely, responsibly and legally”

LITTLE ROCK – From deer to ducks, Arkansas is every outdoorsman’s paradise. According to Arkansas law, all hunters are required to carry a hunting license with them while they are hunting and must tag all harvested deer within 24 hours.

“I want every Arkansas hunter to enjoy themselves,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “But I also want them to hunt safely, responsibly, and legally. I am deeply grateful for the many Wildlife Officers who are committed to preserving the resources of The Natural State for future generations.”

Attorney General Rutledge urges hunters to follow all rules and regulations and to utilize the guidebooks and other resources provided by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

• Arkansas hunters and anglers 16 years or older are required to purchase a hunting or fishing license. A license can be purchased online through the Arkansas Game and Fish app, AGFC.com, over the phone at 501-223-6300, at participating sporting goods stores, nature centers or at Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Offices.
• Arkansas hunters and anglers can carry a digital copy of their hunting and fishing licenses using the Arkansas Game and Fish app. The digital copy may be carried on their phone as a screenshot of the license image or as an image saved in their phone’s files. They may also carry their license as a paper copy or even a reloadable plastic card to show proof of purchase.
• Arkansas hunters are required to check harvested deer within 24 hours, either by AG&FC’s app, AGFC.com, or by phone at 877-731-5627.
• Anyone born after 1968 must complete a hunter education course to hunt in Arkansas, which can be completed via instructor or online. Children under the age of 16 may hunt without hunter education as long as they are under the direct supervision of someone who is 21 years or older.

Says, ‘be cautious and ask questions of those soliciting donations’

LITTLE ROCK –The giving season is right around the corner, and in preparation for the holidays, October 21 through October 25 is recognized as Charity Fraud Awareness Week. Unfortunately, con artists are constantly inventing new ways or recycling old scams to trick unsuspecting, generous Arkansans into giving their hard earned money to fake charities. Every Arkansan should be armed with tips to protect himself from scammers and know that his donations are going to organizations truly making a difference.

“Con artists and criminals will take advantage of every opportunity to use Arkansans’ generosity to funnel money into their sham charities,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “I urge all Arkansans to be cautious and ask questions of those soliciting donations to ensure donations go to those in need.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips to help consumers verify an organization’s legitimacy before giving money:

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’s 18th Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for October 26 at various locations throughout the State. Arkansans are prescribed opioids at a rate of 62 pills per every man, woman and child in the State. With such an influx of pills, half of Arkansas teens report it is easy to obtain prescription drugs from their parents’ or grandparents’ medicine cabinets. New this year, e-cigarette devices and vape pens will be accepted. This statewide event has a goal to collect 30,000 pounds to emphasize the importance for Arkansans to safely dispose of old and unused prescription medications and e-cigarette devices while ensuring these drugs stay out of the hands of addicted Arkansans.

“We lose too many Arkansans to opioid addiction and too many teens are addicted to vaping,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “Working with law enforcement officials, Arkansans can safely clear out old medications and trash dangerous vape products their kids are using.”

Rutledge released the following list of medications that will be accepted at these events across Arkansas:

• Opioids, such as OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, etc.
• E-cigarette and vaping devices
• Stimulants, such as Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine, etc.
• Depressants, such as Ativan, Xanax, Valium, etc.
• Other prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medicines
• Vitamins
• Pet medicines
• Medicated ointments and lotions
• Inhalers
• Liquid medicines in glass or leak-proof containers (up to 12 ounces)
• Medicine samples

Medications may be returned in the original bottle or in any other container for increased privacy.

Says, ‘Just because the vaping industry says vapes are safer than cigarettes does not mean they are safe’

LITTLE ROCK – There is a lot of misinformation about e-cigarettes and vapes, but you should get the facts straight before you vape. Vaping is the act of inhaling a vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. The term “vaping” is used because e-cigarettes do not produce smoke as traditional cigarettes do, but rather an aerosol that consists of fine particles potentially containing varying amounts of toxic chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, as well as seizures, respiratory and heart diseases.

“In recent months, the rampant use of e-cigarettes among teens and preteens has hit a fever pitch with too many young people identified by medical experts as being harmed by inhaling these powerful chemicals,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “Just because the vaping industry says vapes are safer than cigarettes does not mean they are safe. Through education, enforcement and consumer protection, we can help protect an entire generation from becoming addicted to nicotine.”

E-cigarettes are marketed as a safe alternative to cigarettes, but in reality they are not. Attorney General Rutledge has released the following facts about vaping to help parents protect their children.

• Many e-liquids used in vapes are as strong or stronger than cigarettes and can contain as much nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes.
• Vapes can be easily disguised in clothing pockets, backpacks and purses; they can look like a USB drive or pen and some are even covered with cartoon character designs.
• Arkansas teenagers and children are twice as likely to start using e-cigarettes and vapes as compared to adults.
• Vape pods and e-liquids are sold in many different flavors including fruit, cinnamon, candy and crème.
• The average age of first time Arkansas users is 14 years old.
• In Arkansas, it is illegal to buy nicotine products, including vapes, online or through the mail.

Attorney General Rutledge will be hosting Youth Vaping Summits at Arkansas Children’s, Children’s Hall on October 7th starting at 9 a.m. and at Bentonville High School on October 9th starting at 2 p.m. The Summit will include discussions and panels from health care professionals, educators, law enforcement, concerned parents and representatives from the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office.