(Radio Iowa) — Iowans are being warned about scams which authorities say have cost a few people in northwest Iowa several thousand dollars. Tricia Driessen, director of the Center for Financial Education in Sioux Center, says con artists may call or send a letter or email claiming you’re overdue on a bill or you’ve been picked for a “secret shopper” program and in either case, you need to act right away. “They’re sent out to buy these gift cards and are told to send pictures of the numbers,” Driessen says. “The cards are almost immediately drained. There’s very little recourse and the money is essentially gone.”
The scammers are good at what they do, Driessen says, and they can be very convincing. “These people are very crafty in how they ask you to get this money for them,” Driessen says. “They play on your emotions. They make it sound like it’s going to be a tremendous opportunity. You’re best off to hang up.” Cody Huizenga, with the Better Business Bureau, says the Secret Shopper scam can take different forms and you need to be wary. “Either you get something in the mail and it’s a legitimate-looking check and they want you to go out and buy some stuff and then send a portion of the money back,” Huizenga says. “Ultimately, this check, if you deposit it, after a couple of days, it will bounce.”
The B-B-B tracks scams that are reported in Iowa and gives other information regarding the various cons. Huizenga says the best advice to consumers is to be vigilant. “Even just clicking on a link, if you get an email, we tell people to be very cautious in clicking on it,” Huizenga says. “Do some research. Check it out on BBB.org and check out other sites, too. See if there’s any reviews.” If in doubt, Huizenga says to call the nearest chapter of the B-B-B, and report scams to the appropriate government agency.
Feb. 27, 2019 — Hawkeye Sports Properties, the multimedia rights manager for University of Iowa Athletics, today announced it will reinstate play-by-play announcer Gary Dolphin beginning with coverage of football spring practice. Dolphin will also return for the 2019-2020 football and men’s basketball seasons.
The reinstatement decision, like the suspension, was made by Learfield’s Hawkeye Sports Properties, following collaborative engagement with the Iowa Athletics Department. Dolphin has served as “Voice of the Hawkeyes” since 1996.
Dolphin was suspended on Friday through the remainder of the men’s basketball season for an inappropriate comment during the Feb. 19 broadcast of the Iowa men’s basketball game against Maryland.
Dolphin and Iowa Director of Athletics Gary Barta will participate in a 3 pm CT press conference at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s cold and snowy winter has been especially difficult on livestock producers, who have often struggled just to reach their animals. State Climatologist Justin Glisan tells The Des Moines Register that Iowa so far has seen a February snowfall average of 21 inches. That’s just short of a record 22.2 inches set in 1962. Rancher Trent Thiele says he had to ride a snowmobile 50 miles Sunday to check on his pigs. He says blowing snow made the trip treacherous.
He says the heavy snow is causing an overwhelming amount of maintenance issues as farmers work to ensure machines in animal facilities are providing fresh air, food and water. Iowa has a $13.6 billion livestock industry and leads the nation in pig and egg production.
The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has issued its latest report on arrests/activities. On Tuesday, Feb. 26th:
Today (Wednesday):
More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.
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Jim Field visits with Gabbi Edwards of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division about the Operation ReLeaf Program allowing Atlantic residents to purchase trees at a reduced price this spring.
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The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.
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Officials with the Creston Police Department report two women were arrested on separate warrants, Tuesday. Brianna Lynn Pace, of Creston, was arrested on a warrant for violation of a No Contact order. She was being held without bond, pending an appearance before the magistrate. And, Alicia Leann McLandborough, of Creston, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear on a Debtors Exam. Her cash-only bond was set at $5,000.
And Police received two reports of Theft, Monday, in Creston. A man at Homestead Assisted Living, in Creston, reported a wallet with $255 was stolen. And, the Nishna Valley Credit Union in Creston reported a theft in the amount of slightly more than $4,818.
The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.
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