It’s Morning Edition on KRPS; I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro. Throughout the waves of the coronavirus pandemic millions of us have stayed home and watched more TV. This has also lead to an increase in scams related to AT&T Direct TV as scammers both try to lure consumers to the service with promises of gift cards that don’t exist. And attempt to get customers to pay their bills with gift cards with promises of channel upgrades if they do so.

Earlier this month I spoke with Stephanie Garland, Regional Director of the Better Business Bureau in Springfield, Missouri who has the story of one Walnut Grove resident.