During the holiday season, Idaho residents face increased risks from online scams and fraud schemes. In response, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, in collaboration with the FBI and various local law enforcement agencies, has released a final public service announcement (PSA) as part of the "Don't Click December" Consumer Protection Campaign. The AARP is also involved in this initiative.
The campaign urges the public to be cautious when receiving unsolicited communications online. Law enforcement advises: “Don’t Click It” if there is any uncertainty about a link or message.
In the latest PSA, Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei, Bonneville County Sheriff Samuel Hulse, and U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit highlight the "Tech Support" scam. This scam involves criminals pretending to be officials to extract personal information from victims. They may use pop-ups claiming accounts have been hacked to trick individuals into calling scammers who then attempt to access computers or accounts.
This PSA series aims to inform the public about common online frauds affecting Idahoans during Christmas time. Law enforcement hopes that by raising awareness through this campaign, people will discuss these issues with friends and family and avoid suspicious links or messages.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit stated: “Through the Don’t Click December campaign, we recognize that any Idahoan with a smartphone, tablet, or computer is likely to be targeted by online criminals at some point... By being aware of common schemes and by talking to loved ones about the red flags of online fraud, every Idahoan can make a difference in this fight.”
Special Agent Shohini Sinha of the Salt Lake City FBI emphasized vigilance as technology evolves: “The FBI is committed to prevention and awareness efforts during the holiday season and throughout the year."
Victims are encouraged to report scams by contacting their bank or law enforcement and filing complaints with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.
The campaign also seeks to reduce stigma for those victimized by sophisticated scams designed by professional criminals across the country.
For more information on these scams visit FBI.gov. If you believe you have been victimized, report it via IC3.gov or contact local law enforcement.