During the holiday season, Idaho residents are often targeted by online scams and fraud schemes. In response, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the "Don't Click December" Consumer Protection Campaign alongside the FBI, Fort Hall Police Department, Bannock County Prosecuting Attorney’s and Sheriff’s Offices, Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney’s and Sheriff’s Offices, Idaho Falls Police Department, Pocatello Police Department, and AARP.
The campaign encourages skepticism towards unsolicited online communications from unknown sources. The message is clear: “Don’t Click It” if there's any doubt about a link or attachment.
Weekly public service announcements will be released throughout December to educate the public on common scams affecting Idahoans. These include:
- **QR Scam**: Scammers use corrupt QR codes to direct victims to fraudulent websites.
- **Pig Butchering Scam**: A cryptocurrency investment scam where victims are tricked into fake investments.
- **Tech Support Scam**: Criminals impersonate officials to gain access to personal information.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit emphasized the importance of awareness during this time: “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.”
Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha noted that last year alone, Idahoans lost over $33 million due to various scams. She stated that it is crucial for individuals to remain alert as they engage in online activities during the holidays.
Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei advised caution with unfamiliar offers: “If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is."
AARP Idaho State Director Lupe Wissel highlighted how advancements in technology make avoiding scams more challenging but stressed that sharing information can help keep communities safe.
The campaign also aims to eliminate stigma around falling victim to such schemes and provides resources for reporting fraud incidents through FBI.gov or local law enforcement agencies.