Attorney General Kris Mayes is teaming up with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to launch an educational onslaught against scammers in Arizona. The campaign, featuring video PSAs with Mayes and former TV journalist Joe Ducey, aims to arm Arizonans with the know-how to spot scams and keep their wallets safe. According to the Arizona Attorney General's office, these videos will tackle a range of fraudulent activities, starting with the deceitful use of celebrity endorsements.
In her fight to protect consumers, Attorney General Mayes says, "From rental scams to robocalls, my team is aggressively investigating deceptive business practices and fraud schemes reported across the state." Reports indicate that Arizonans were bilked out of nearly $392 million due to fraud in 2024 alone. In response to the escalating trickery, the Attorney General's Office received nearly 22,000 consumer complaints and managed to recover a record $5.2 million for the scammed.
The numbers are staggering and the stories behind them often tragic, as fraud schemes particularly prey upon the elderly and vulnerable. Joe Ducey from BBB underscored the importance of the partnership, stating, "By choosing to be smarter on the front end and doing your research with BBB, you can save yourself a headache—and potentially your hard-earning savings—on the backend." The collaborative effort between the AGO and BBB is more than just punitive; it's a preventive strike, fostering a savvy consumer base through education.
Consumers looking to protect against cons have a slew of resources at their disposal. For those suspecting foul play, consumer complaints can be filed directly on the Attorney General’s website. The AGO and consumer advocacy groups offer hotlines ranging from Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, to Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or the broader Arizona area at (800) 352-8431. On the digital frontier, BBB's Scam Tracker allows individuals to report and track scam trends, fortifying the community's defense against fraudsters.
A mindful review of endorsements and offers can guard against deception. AG Mayes and BBB recommend caution, advising to slow down before making a purchase and to always do background checks on solicitations. "Don’t share personal information or current financial status with strangers. Don’t provide your banking information, social security number, copies of your identification or passport, or any other sensitive information to anyone online or to a site that you cannot verify is authentic," warns the AG's office. Tips like these are not just words of caution, but lifelines thrown into the treacherous waters of the modern scamming sea.
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