#ConsumerAlert | AM 1180 Radio

September 24, 2026

Georgia Ag Commissioner Warns Residents About Unlicensed Door-To-Door Pest Control Operators

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Chattooga County residents who are approached at their homes by someone offering pest control services are being urged to ask for a state-issued license before signing a contract or allowing any work to begin.

September 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

FTC Warns Farmers About Fake Farm Equipment Dealers

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Farmers and farm equipment buyers in Chattooga County are being urged to use extra caution when shopping for tractors and other agricultural equipment online as federal and state officials warn about increasingly sophisticated scams involving fake equipment dealerships.

September 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Sheriff’s Office Warns Residents About Active Jury Duty Scam

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The Walker County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about another active scam after multiple citizens reported receiving fraudulent calls from people pretending to be Sheriff’s Office employees.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the callers tell residents they have missed jury duty and now have a warrant for their arrest. The scammers then claim the supposed warrant or other legal issue can be resolved by paying money.

In some cases, victims are instructed to purchase Green Dot cards or use other methods to send payment.

The Walker County Sheriff’s Office says the calls are fraudulent and emphasized that the Sheriff’s Office will not call residents and demand money to resolve a warrant or missed jury duty.

Officials are urging residents not to send money to anyone they do not know, regardless of how convincing or urgent the caller may sound.

Anyone receiving one of the calls who is uncertain whether it is legitimate can contact the Walker County Sheriff’s Office directly to verify the information before taking any action.

The warning comes as law enforcement agencies continue to see scammers impersonating officers and government employees in an effort to frighten victims into making immediate payments.

August 25, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Agriculture Officials Warn Of Fake Farmers Market Vendor Scam

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The Georgia Department of Agriculture is warning farmers, vendors and small-business owners about a fraudulent event advertised on social media as being held at the Atlanta State Farmers Market.

August 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

North Georgia EMC Warns Members About Disconnect Scam Calls And Texts

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North Georgia EMC is warning its members to be on alert for scam phone calls and text messages threatening to disconnect electric service.

August 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Scammers Target Consumers With Fake Unclaimed Life Insurance Letters

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Consumers are being warned about a scam involving official-looking letters claiming the recipient may be entitled to millions of dollars in unclaimed life insurance money.

July 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Taco Bell Lettuce Linked to Multistate Cyclospora Outbreak

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Federal health officials have identified shredded iceberg lettuce served at certain Taco Bell restaurants as the source of a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that can cause prolonged watery diarrhea.

July 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Coroner Warns Families About Funeral Home Impersonation Scam

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The Chattooga County Coroner’s Office is warning residents about a scam targeting grieving families following the death of a loved one.

In a public alert, Coroner Jeremy A. McElhaney said scammers are posing as funeral home employees after monitoring online obituaries. The scammers then contact family members and demand immediate payment, falsely claiming to represent the funeral home handling funeral arrangements.

McElhaney urged anyone receiving such a call not to provide any personal or financial information. Instead, he advises families to hang up and contact their funeral home directly using a trusted phone number to verify whether the call is legitimate.

“I personally know the owner/operators of all three Chattooga County funeral homes and can assure you that is not the way they conduct business,” McElhaney said.

Residents are encouraged to share the warning to help prevent others from becoming victims of the scam.

July 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Publix Recalls Frozen Blueberries Sold in Georgia After E. coli Illnesses Reported

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Publix customers in Georgia are being urged to check their freezers after the grocery chain recalled a specific lot of frozen blueberries linked to 12 confirmed cases of E. coli illness.

July 6, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Pedigree Recalls Select Canned Dog Food Over Possible Metal And Plastic Contamination

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Pet owners are being urged to check their dog food after the manufacturer of Pedigree canned dog food announced a voluntary recall of two products because they may contain metal and plastic fragments.

The recall affects select lots of Pedigree Choice Cuts in Gravy canned dog food. According to the manufacturer, the foreign materials could pose a choking hazard or cause injury if consumed by pets.

Consumers who have recalled products should stop feeding them to their dogs immediately. Pet owners are encouraged to dispose of the affected cans or return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Anyone whose dog has consumed the recalled food and is showing signs of illness or injury should contact a veterinarian promptly.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact the manufacturer or visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website for complete lot numbers and additional information.