The last minute rush to wrap up Christmas shopping is underway and local merchants hope residents will shop local. But if you are shopping online, a spokesman for Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul told a group in Danville Monday to be careful.
Andrew Drey, an outreach coordinator for the Attorney General, offered this suggestion….
{Drey addresses the crowd at the Danville Public Library Monday.}
{‘’Before they buy something check and make sure there have been no recalls. This year we have our safe shopping guide is available on our website – https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov – and so people can look up and make sure that before they buy something there hasn’t been some sort of a choking hazard or recall for another reason,’’ said Drey during an interview with VermilionCountyFirst.com News.}
Drey adds citizens can also check with the Attorney General’s Office to see how charities use donations, and how much goes to administrative positions for those charities….
{‘’Before they donate they should check with our office. They can call our office. We have live people on the phones during office hours, and we would be happy – if someone would want to call and say ‘hey, is this charity a legitimate registered charity we will check that and tell them what we know about that charity,’’ said Drey.
Drey also discussed how consumers can avoid being a victim of fraud. His presentation was sponsored by State Senator Scott Bennett….
[‘’These scammers are good. They know what they’re doing, and they’re very good at fooling people. So, especially being the holiday season – people are getting a lot of calls, a lot of people asking for money. I just wanted to make sure we took the time to inform Vermilion County residents ways they can protect their own money and give it to where they want to give it,’’ said Senator Bennett.
Monday’s forum on avoiding fraud was held at the Danville Public Library.
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{This story by Neuhoff Media Danville News Director Bill Pickett. Got a news tip? Give Bill a call at 217-709-1245, or contact him at BillPickett@neuhoffmedia.com.}
