IA Fraud Fighters

🔎 Verify Before You Trust

Scammers are good at pretending to be someone they’re not. Use this quick fraud-check flow before you respond:

You get a message that says…

➡️ “Your bank account has suspicious activity. Click here now.”
They claim to be: Your bank
✅ What to do: Do not click the link. Call the number on the back of your card or log in through the bank’s official website or app.

You get a message that says…

➡️ “You missed jury duty and must pay a fine immediately.”
They claim to be: Law enforcement or a government office
✅ What to do: Hang up or ignore the message. Contact the office directly using a verified public phone number.

You get a message that says…

➡️ “Hi Grandma, I’m in trouble and need money right away.”
They claim to be: A grandchild or family member
✅ What to do: Pause. Call that person or another family member directly using a number you already know.

If someone pressures you to act fast, send money, click a link, or keep it secret, that’s a major red flag.

Learn more about spotting scams and protecting yourself at:

🌐 iowafraudfighters.gov

🇺🇸 This Fourth of July, keep your celebration sparkling

Scammers do not take holidays off. Watch for fake charity requests, “limited-time” holiday deals, suspicious travel offers, and messages that pressure you to act fast.

Before you click, pay, donate, or share personal information:

🎆 Pause
🎆 Verify
🎆 Protect your information

A little caution can help keep your Independence Day safe, fun, and fraud-free.

Learn more scam prevention tips at IowaFraudFighters.gov

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported and helped share the message of the 2026 Stop the Scammers Tour. Together, Iowans are helping stop fraud before it causes even greater harm.

By the numbers:

• More than 1,400 Iowans reached with scam-prevention education
• 19 active scams identified at events and now under investigation
• 211 investigations opened across 96 Iowa communities since January 1

We are grateful to our community partners, presenters and attendees for making prevention, awareness and early reporting a priority.

Every step can make a difference in preventing lost assets.

Read more, here: https://iid.iowa.gov/press-release/2026-07-02/2026-stop-scammers-tour-concludes-after-sparking-19-fraud-investigations

For free resources or to report suspected fraud, visit IowaFraudFighters.gov.

🚨 When Success is Built on Deception.

The Enron scandal remains one of the most well-known examples of corporate fraud in U.S. history. Company leaders used deceptive accounting practices and hidden partnerships to make Enron appear more profitable and financially stable than it truly was.

When the truth surfaced, employees lost jobs and retirement savings, investors lost billions, and public trust collapsed.

What can we learn from Enron?

Be cautious when something seems too good to be true. Ask questions when financial information is unclear, and remember that transparency matters, whether in business, investments, or everyday financial decisions.

Learn more about the case in this FBI overview of the Enron investigation: https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/enron

Knowledge is one of the best tools for preventing fraud.

Learn how to recognize warning signs and protect yourself with Iowa Fraud Fighters.

A false billing scam, also known as invoice fraud, happens when a scammer sends a fake or altered invoice to trick a business or individual into paying for goods or services that were never ordered or received.

🔎 How to Spot It

Be wary of invoices with generic greetings, sudden changes in contact or banking details, or a sense of extreme urgency.

Check for typos and errors: Scammers often make simple mistakes, such as spelling or grammatical errors, that can be a clear warning sign.

💡 Stay protected: Always verify invoices directly with the supplier before sending payment.
For more tips on recognizing and preventing scams, visit IowaFraudFighters.gov

🏠 Home repair scams often spike after storms and severe weather.

Be wary of contractors who:

🚩 Show up unsolicited offering “cheap” repairs
🚩 Demand large upfront payments in cash
🚩 Pressure you to sign immediately
🚩 Claim they have “leftover materials” from another job
🚩 Refuse to provide proof of licensing or references

A legitimate contractor will give you time to review estimates, ask questions, and make an informed decision.

Before hiring anyone, research the company, get multiple quotes, and never let urgency make the decision for you.

More scam prevention tips at Iowa Fraud Fighters

Scammers are getting smarter, but awareness is one of the best defenses. ⚠️📱

This video from AARP highlights real fraud tactics scammers use to create urgency, fear, and emotional pressure to steal money and personal information. Learning the warning signs can help protect you, your family, and your community.

🚩 Common red flags:
• Unexpected contact
• Pressure to act immediately
• Requests for money, gift cards, or personal info
• Messages designed to spark panic or excitement

Take a few minutes to watch and share:
https://www.aarp.org/videos/money/scams-fraud/6366923686112/

Knowledge is one of the strongest tools we have to fight fraud. Stay alert and help stop scammers in their tracks. 💪

4 Ways to Stop AI Scams Artificial intelligence has given new tools to scammers but there are common strategies that can keep you safe if you have follow them.

Stay alert for this scam we are seeing in Iowa.

🚨 SCAM ALERT: Check Overpayment Scam on the Rise 🚨

The Pella Police Department is seeing an uptick in check overpayment scams targeting residents, local businesses, and online sellers.

Here's how the scam works: A buyer offers to purchase an item—often without seeing it in person—and sends a check for more than the asking price. They then pressure the seller to quickly deposit the check, refund the overpayment, or release the item. The check may initially appear to clear, but later is discovered to be counterfeit, leaving the victim responsible for the full amount.

Warning signs include:
• Receiving a check for more than the agreed sale price
• Buyers who refuse to meet in person or inspect the item
• Requests to return part of the money
• Pressure to act quickly
• Unexpected checks claiming to be for prizes, reimbursements, jobs, or lottery winnings

Remember: Just because funds appear in your account does NOT mean a check has fully cleared. Fake checks can be reversed days or even weeks later.

Protect yourself:
✔ Never accept overpayment checks
✔ Never send money back from a deposited check
✔ Verify checks directly with the issuing bank
✔ Be cautious of buyers who rush or pressure you
✔ If something feels off, trust your instincts

If you believe you've been targeted by a scam, or have a question about something that just feels off, contact the Pella Police Department and report the incident immediately.

“They sound exactly like someone you trust. That’s what makes voice cloning scams so dangerous.” 🎙️⚠️

AI-powered scammers can now clone a voice using just a few seconds of audio pulled from social media videos, voicemails, or online recordings. They may pose as a loved one, coworker, or even law enforcement to create panic and pressure you into sending money or sharing personal information.

Learn how these scams work, the warning signs to watch for, and how to protect yourself and your family in this blog from Operation Shamrock https://www.operationshamrock.org/blog/2026-02-voice-cloning

📧🚨 Fraud Email Rule of Thumb: Don’t Click, Don’t Open, Don’t Reply

If you get an unexpected or suspicious email, treat it like a locked door you didn’t expect in your house, don’t open it just to “see what’s inside.”

🛑 What NOT to do:
❌ Don’t click on links in suspicious emails
❌ Don’t open attachments you weren’t expecting
❌ Don’t reply (even to say “stop” or “remove me”)

⚠️ Why this matters:
•Links can steal your info or install malware on your device
•Attachments can contain viruses or hidden software that runs when opened
•Replying confirms your email is active, which can lead to even more scam attempts