Don't look now, but, there is a wave of impersonation scams starting to crop up in the Sioux Empire right now.

Dakota News Now reports that two separate scams were brought to the attention of law enforcement officials last week, and sadly in one case, a Sioux Falls resident ended up being out a sizeable amount of money.

According to Dakota News Now, a 64-year-old Sioux Falls woman was scammed out of $2,000 after she received a phone call from a scam artist posing as someone from the Sioux Falls Sheriff's Department, which by the way doesn't exist. The scammer on the phone claimed the woman had several warrants out for her arrest and that she needed to pay $3,000 immediately. When the woman informed the person she didn't have that kind of money, the scammer lowered the amount to $2,000 which she agreed to pay.

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Officer Sam Clemens with the Sioux Falls Police Department told Dakota News Now, “At some point during the conversation, she said she would come down to the sheriff’s office to get it straightened out. They then told her that she would immediately go to jail if that was the case, so they’re very good about keeping people on the line, keeping things moving this forward.”

Scammers prey on deception and fear! Which is why they often pose as people in positions of authority.

If you ever receive what you feel could be a potential scam call, you need to be on the lookout for potential red flags. For instance, the IRS never contacts taxpayers on phone calls, texts, or social media unsolicited. Just like law enforcement officials will never call people asking for money to settle outstanding warrants.

Jessie Schmidt with the South Dakota Better Business Bureau told Dakota News Now, "Threatening and intimidating, that’s what they’re looking for is to get you anxious, off your game, so you’re not thinking straight. Longtime law-abiding citizens, get very, very nervous when you tell them you’ve got a warrant or you’ve got to pay up.”

If you feel that you've received a potential scam call, or god forbid have fallen victim to a scam artist, the BBB reminds citizens to immediately report the incident to either law enforcement officials, the agency being impersonated, or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Office.

Source: Dakota News Now

30 Ways You Might Have Already Broken the Law Today

Most of us try the best we can to be law-abiding citizens, but did you know that you may have been breaking the law without even realizing it?

BestLifeOnline has a list of 30 of the most common transgressions. How many have you been guilty of over the years?

Out of 30, I am guilty of 19. And no I won't tell you which ones.

Gallery Credit: Jeff Harkness/B1027.com

10 Most Dangerous Cities in South Dakota

Cities on the east and west side of the Missouri River have made the latest list of South Dakota's Most Dangerous Cities for 2021.

Roadsnacks recently released its most 'Dangerous Cities' list and here in The Mount Rushmore state there are a few surprises, especially at the top. To determine the most dangerous cities in the state, Roadsnacks looked at the FBI's report on the latest violent crime, along with property crime statistics.

And surprisingly, the town with the most murders per capita in the state has less than 3,000 residents. Take a look at the list below.

For a look at the detailed list, visit roadsnacks.com Story Source: Roadsncaks

Source: Scam Alert! Scam Artists Posing as Sheriff and IRS Officials in Sioux Falls