Attorney General Warns of Another Business Scam in South Dakota

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley and Meade County Sheriff Pat West had a news conference on Friday (10/11) where they announced the arrest of a scam artist from Louisiana.

Bill Roger Acker III of Sunset, Louisianna, was charged with one count of Deceptive Acts or Practices and Grand Theft by Deception. Acker is the representative for a company thought to still be operating in western South Dakota.

Dakota News Now reports that the name of the business is Bill Blacktop Paving or Asphalt Paving.

The Attorney General said these scams were targeted at people who needed "work projects completed as quickly as possible".

Jackley and the Meade County Sheriff reminded people to be aware of scams and gave these tips:

• Do not give in to high-pressure sales tactics.
• Be cautious with individuals who solicit business door-to-door.
• Always get any repair work, construction orders, and other types of contracts in writing with expected cost estimates.
• Written estimates given should include the name of the business.
• Compare written bids from several contractors before signing a contract.
• Never pay for the entire job upfront and withhold the final payment until the work is done satisfactorily.
• Don’t take a contractor’s word that your insurance company will cover the damage. Check directly with your insurance company.
• Talk to someone you can trust before you provide money or personal information to someone who contacts you.

The Attorney General also advised consumers who believe they may have been a victim of any type of scam should contact the Attorney General’s Office’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986.

Source: Dakota News Now