During the holiday season, online scams and fraud schemes become more prevalent, targeting residents in Idaho. In response, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit has collaborated with several law enforcement agencies to release a third public service announcement (PSA) as part of the "Don't Click December" Consumer Protection Campaign. This initiative is supported by the FBI, local police departments, and the AARP.
The campaign urges individuals to be cautious when receiving unsolicited communications online. Law enforcement advises: “Don’t Click It” if there is any doubt about a link or message's authenticity.
The latest PSA features Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal, Bannock County Sheriff Tony Manu, and U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit warning against the "Pig Butchering" scam. This scam involves victims being persuaded to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes through deceptive communications.
Individuals are cautioned not to engage with investment opportunities from unknown sources on social media or dating sites. Even if a message appears legitimate, verifying its origin is crucial.
Leading up to Christmas, one final PSA will be released to alert the public about common online fraud schemes affecting Idahoans. The goal is to raise awareness and encourage discussions about avoiding suspicious links and messages.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit emphasized the importance of community discussions on avoiding scams: “We have witnessed many Idahoans lose their hard-earned money or their entire retirement savings to online scams... I’m grateful to our law enforcement partners and the AARP for joining us in the Don’t Click December campaign.”
The campaign also aims to eliminate stigma around being victimized by these sophisticated schemes and encourages reporting incidents of fraud to authorities promptly.
For more information on scams targeting Americans or if you believe you have been victimized, visit FBI.gov or report it at IC3.govor contact local law enforcement.