AG Alert:’ All I Want for Christmas is You (to Avoid Holiday Scams)’

LITTLE ROCK – The holidays bring out the best in Arkansans, but there are some who try to take advantage of kind hearts by posing as charitable organizations to help Arkansans in need during the holiday season. Unfortunately, con artists will recycle triedand- true scams and target unsuspecting consumers.

Scam artists often solicit donations using charity names that are slightly different from the names of legitimate charities to trick consumers. Additionally, the scammers use a sense of urgency to push consumers into quickly donating without allowing consumers time to ask questions about the cause.

“Whether it’s veterans in need, or a local food bank, Arkansans are known for being some of the most generous people on earth, especially during the holidays,” said Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “While the holiday season traditionally lends itself to an increase in charitable giving, it is important for Arkansans to do their research before giving to organizations that claim to do good will.”

Attorney General Rutledge released the following tips to help consumers give to only legitimate charities:

• Do not fall prey to highpressure sales tactics as they are often the first sign of an unscrupulous and fraudulent charity.

• Make attempts to determine the validity of an organization by conducting research before getting out a checkbook or credit card in response to a phone solicitation. Personal information could fall into the wrong hands, or the scammers could use it to steal money or identity.

• Get the organization’s name, address, website and phone number, or give directly to a known nonprofit of choice. Make sure the nonprofit organization is registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State.

• Use GuideStar.org to compare nonprofit organizations and to get more information.

• Ask the organization how it will spend donations.

• Watch out for similar but different organization names as some con artists will use names similar to those of existing, reputable nonprofits in order to trick consumers.

• Never send cash. Make check or credit card payments for increased security and tax purposes.

• If donating via text message, verify the organization’s number prior to sending information.

For more information about other common scams and consumer-related issues, please call the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov.

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Man facing charges for bringing teen to town for sex

JONESBORO — Shaun Joseph Thomas traveled to Malden, Mo., twice last week to pick up and bring a 14-year-old girl to Jonesboro for sex, according to a probable cause affidavit by the Jonesboro Police Department.

Thomas, 20, of 310 W.

Thomas Green Road, was arrested Friday at his residence after authorities “pinged” the girl’s cell phone and located her whereabouts, according to a Jonesboro police report.

When officers arrived at the scene they were able to get Thomas to come to the door and asked if the girl was there. Officers went inside of the residence and arrested Thomas on suspicion of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, which officers said was in plain view.

Detective Bill Brown with the JPD’s Criminal Investigation Division interviewed Thomas at the Police Department.

Thomas said he met the girl on Nov. 13 on Snapchat. He then admitted to Brown that he traveled to Malden on Nov. 14 and picked up the girl at her residence and brought her back to Jonesboro. He said he and the girl had sex three times at his residence, according to the affidavit.

He took the girl back to Malden that night, he told Brown.

He told Brown he picked the girl up in Malden on Friday and brought her back to Jonesboro. He said he took her out to eat and then to Walmart to buy soap and a toothbrush because she was going to spend the night, the affidavit said. Thomas told Brown when they returned to his house they laid in bed and engaged in foreplay. That is when the police arrived, the affidavit said.

Malden police Sgt. Troy Karlish said the girl was a habitual runaway.

On Monday, District Judge David Boling found probable cause to charge Thomas with sexual indecency with a child, fourth-degree sexual assault, interference with custody/minor taken out of state, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Boling set bond at $100,000.

Thomas was released from the Craighead County Detention Center later Monday after posting bail.

“It is important for Arkansans to do their research before giving to organizations that claim to do good will.”

— Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge