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With Taylor Swift coming to Indianapolis this weekend, Attorney General Todd Rokita is reminding Swifties that scammers know “All Too Well” how to take advantage of fans and concertgoers.

“I know Hoosiers look forward to seeing their favorite artists in concert, especially someone as big as Taylor Swift,” Attorney General Rokita said. “But when buying tickets, don’t lose your hard-earned money on a scam.”

When buying tickets, here are several tips to make sure you are “Ready For It” and avoid potential scams:

“You Need To Calm Down” and investigate offers that you know are too good to be true. Sellers, especially on online marketplaces and social media websites, may offer tickets at face value (or below) for events that are sold out or in high demand. Many offers end up being scams. Some sellers may say they need to sell tickets quickly, falsely claiming, for example, that they have a sick relative, medical emergency, or an overseas military assignment.

Stay updated through verified channels. Make sure you’re not “Down Bad” and keep an eye on reputable sources like Taylor Swift’s official website and verified ticketing platforms for legitimate announcements about ticket sales and availability.

Only buy from trusted ticket resellers. To avoid “Champagne Problems,” deal with reputable businesses instead of individuals or social media profiles that are not associated with the event. Beware of websites that copy popular ticket sellers’ logos or the tour logos.

Before providing any payment or personal information, research a seller’s “Reputation.” Search the seller’s name, username, email address, phone number and other details for information. Even if you find no negative information, don’t assume that the seller is trustworthy. Scammers change names regularly.

Avoid “Bad Blood” and always use a credit card. With a credit card, if a problem arises, you have the potential for greater protection and the ability to dispute charges, unlike other payment methods. Scammers often request unconventional payment methods that are difficult to trace or recover, such as cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Unlike credit cards, these transactions are largely irreversible — making it much harder if a ne’er-do-well tries to pull a fast one.

Other payment methods that raise concerns are those involving gift cards, cash, or wire transfers. If you’re using an app to transfer funds, be sure you understand the protections the service provides (or doesn’t) before making a transaction. Use these proper safeguards so you don’t look like the “Foolish One.”

If you think you know the seller, double check. Scammers are “Guilty as Sin” and may hack social media accounts and pretend to be a friend or acquaintance who’s selling tickets. Before sending money, contact your friend directly to make sure the deal is legitimate.

Consumers who believe they have been defrauded should “Speak Now” and immediately report the details to the company they used to make the payment and the Office of the Indiana Attorney General.

Hoosiers can report scams to the Office of the Indiana Attorney General at indianaconsumer.com or by calling 317-232-6330.

Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN–09) has joined a letter to House Leadership supporting the full reauthorization of the Farm Bill by the end of the 118th Congress.

Farmers are currently operating under policies put in place in 2018. Six years later, these outdated policies restrict the growth of our nation’s agricultural community. Production expenses have increased by roughly 30% since 2018, while 2024 inflation-adjusted net cash farm income projections are the worst in 15 years. Many farmers cannot afford to wait another year for updated provisions to address the challenges they face, especially those growing major row crops.

In late May, the House Committee on Agriculture introduced the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, developed with input from farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders at listening sessions and town hall events across the country. The bill also included input from the entire Republican Conference and included over 2,600 priorities submitted to the committee by members of Congress.

In their letter supporting the reauthorization of a 5-year Farm Bill, the Members reaffirm their commitment to advancing a bill that meets the needs of production agriculture and rural America. Congresswoman Houchin is dedicated to finding a solution for American farmers.

“Reauthorizing the Farm Bill is critical to supporting our farmers and keeping our agricultural economy strong,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “I will continue to fight for policies that uplift our rural communities and that ensure our farmers and producers have the support they need to succeed.”

Amid ongoing concerns from community members and elected officials, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued civil investigative demands (CID) to the Seymour and South Bend police departments seeking information on whether their immigration policies comply with state law.

“We are working to ensure units of local government are following the law,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We are putting Hoosiers first – not illegal aliens.

In the CID, Attorney General Rokita states his office is asking for information regarding both police departments’ immigration-related communications, cooperation and enforcement policies.

Indiana law limits the attorney general to investigating and enforcing local government entities that have policies that restrict or limit communication or cooperation with federal immigration authorities or the enforcement of federal immigration law.

Attorney General Rokita has instructed Seymour and South Bend police to produce all documents responsive to his inquiry by November 8, 2024.

“A failure to comply with the CID may result in legal action,” Attorney General Rokita said. “If the documents produced show that either police department has unlawful immigration policies on the books, we will take action as warranted to ensure compliance with state law.”

On top of issuing the CIDs, Attorney General Rokita is currently suing the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department for its refusal to rescind its unlawful immigration policies and recently sent demand letters to officials in Lake and St. Joseph counties warning them of impending legal action if they fail to come into compliance with state law.

Earlier this year, Attorney General Rokita sent similar letters to officials in the cities of East Chicago, Gary, and West Lafayette, which all worked to rescind their unlawful immigration policies to comply with state law after receiving these communications.

Attorney General Rokita said his office will continue to evaluate other local governments.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit alleging that an Indianapolis home improvement contractor is scamming Hoosiers by taking money from consumers as deposits, starting work, then abandoning projects without issuing refunds — leaving consumers with partially finished conditions they must pay someone else to fix.

The lawsuit alleges that Hank Eversole – doing business as All Services Construction and Nationwide Construction – has violated Indiana law through such misconduct.

“Hoosiers looking to make repairs or improvements to their homes shouldn’t have to worry about being shafted by unscrupulous contractors,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We will continue working to hold accountable any contractor trying to take advantage of hardworking homeowners in this manner.”

This lawsuit alleges that Hank Eversole violated the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act and the Indiana Home Improvement Act. Attorney General Rokita is seeking injunctive relief, consumer restitution, penalties, costs and other relief.

This is not the first time this year Attorney General Rokita has filed a lawsuit to protect consumers against contractors who take money and then fail to complete projects.

Earlier this year, Attorney General Rokita filed suit against Exact Loss Consulting, Storm Solutions Pros, and Adam Greer alleging that they entered into home improvement contracts with consumers for storm-related damage to their homes and then failed to complete the work as contracted and failed to comply with consumers’ requests for refunds.

Attorney General Rokita also obtained a judgment against another set of companies doing business as Quest Exteriors that repeatedly entered into contracts to perform concrete and other exterior work on Hoosiers’ homes and failed to complete the work.

To prevent the headache of being scammed by a contractor, Attorney General Rokita offers the following tips to avoid falling victim to a home repair scam: 

Ask your family, friends and co-workers for contractors they have used who have done good work.

Before signing a contract or making a payment, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and the Better Business Bureau for complaint information on contractors you are considering.

Get multiple bids from local contractors.

Avoid contractors who spontaneously show up at your door offering a “bargain” price for painting, driveway sealing, roof repairs, etc.

Never pay for the entire project before the work begins.

Don’t make the final payment to the contractor until you know all suppliers of materials and all subcontractors have been paid.

If you ever suspect a scam of any type, file a complaint at indianaconsumer.com or call Attorney General Todd Rokita’s office at 1-800-382-5516.

By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

The Salem Board of Works and Public Safety and Common Council met Tuesday, Oct. 15, and handled the following business:

APPROVED: The Halloween Parade at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26; the Veterans Day Parade at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9; and the Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.

APPROVED: The city adopted its proposed 2025 budget with a general fund of $4.9 million. The budget will now be submitted to the state for review.

REPORT: Salem Police Officer James Moore, with assistance from Hoosier Uplands, received a grant for $11,500 for six new in-car police radios, which constitutes about half of the city’s fleet. Moore was told another grant may be available in 2025 that will provide radios for the rest of the fleet.

ANNOUCEMENT: November’s city meetings will be held one day later than usual due to the Veterans Day holiday. The Board of Works will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, and the Common Council meeting will follow at 5:30 p.m.