IA 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

🎯🦸‍♂️ Choose Your Iowa Fraud Fighter Superhero!

Scammers are constantly evolving… but so are we. Meet the team built to outsmart, outlast, and outplay fraudsters in every form.

🛡️ (The Trust Defender)

•Instantly spots impersonators and fake “official” messages
•Protects your personal info like it’s classified intel
•Special power: “Pause & Verify”; slows down scam urgency tactics

🔍 (The Digital Detective)

•Detects fake profiles, phishing links, and shady websites
•Breaks down suspicious messages in seconds
•Special power: “Link X-Ray Vision” reveals scam URLs hiding in plain sight

📞 (Hang-Up Hero)

If the phone rings with trouble, Hang-Up Hero answers the call… then immediately ends it.

•Neutralizes robocalls and impersonation scams
•Refuses pressure, threats, or “urgent” demands
•Special power: “Instant Disconnect”, breaks scammer control mid-script

👉 Learn more ways to protect yourself and your community:
https://iowafraudfighters.gov/

A new Iowa law is giving the insurance industry another tool to help stop financial exploitation before money reaches scammers.

Beginning July 1, insurance companies will be able to temporarily pause suspicious transactions when elder financial exploitation is suspected.

Protect yourself and your loved ones: Report concerns early, and remember to always pause and verify.

Learn more:

New Iowa Law Empowers Insurance Industry to Freeze Scams, Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation New Iowa Law Empowers Insurance Industry to Freeze Scams, Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation

🗳️🚨 Warning Signs of Campaign Donation Scams

Scammers often take advantage of election season by posing as political campaigns, candidates, or fundraising groups to trick people into donating money.

🛑 Watch for these red flags:

📲 Urgent pressure to donate immediately (“We’re running out of time!”)

🔗 Suspicious links in texts or emails that don’t clearly match an official campaign website

💸 Requests for gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers instead of normal donation methods

Always donate directly through a verified, official campaign website, not through links in unexpected messages or social media DMs.

If it feels rushed, vague, or overly emotional, take a step back and always verify before giving.

💬 Have you ever seen a political donation message that seemed suspicious? What made it stand out?

Scam Alert: Fake Event Invitations from Someone "You Know"

Scammers are hijacking email accounts and sending fake event invitations that appear to come from someone you know and trust.

The email may look like a legitimate invitation to a conference, meeting, networking event, wedding, or community gathering. Because it comes from a real person's email account, recipients are more likely to click links, open attachments, or provide information.

Warning signs include:

• An unexpected event invitation

• Generic or vague event details

• Requests to click a link to view the invitation

• Poor grammar or unusual wording

• Writing style seems different than normal

How to protect yourself:

• Contact the sender using a phone number or email address you know is legitimate

• Hover over links before clicking to see where they lead.

• Enable multi-factor authentication on your email accounts.

• Report suspicious emails as phishing.

If you receive an invitation that seems unusual, take a moment to verify it before responding. A quick phone call or separate email could prevent your information from falling into the wrong hands.

Remember: Just because an email comes from someone you know doesn't mean it was sent by them.

📲🎣 Text Message Translation: Scam Edition

Scammers say one thing… but they mean something very different.

🚨 “Your account has been locked.”
➡️ Translation: We want you to panic and click our fake link.

📦 “Your package couldn’t be delivered.”
➡ ️ Translation: We’re hoping you’re expecting a delivery and won’t think twice.

🏦 “This is your bank. Verify your information immediately.”
➡️ Translation: We’re trying to steal your login or personal details.

💸 “You’ve won a prize! Just pay a small fee to claim it.”
➡️ Translation: There is no prize. We just want your money.

⚖️ “You’ll be arrested if you don’t act now.”
➡️ Translation: We’re using fear to pressure you into reacting fast.

🧠 The real goal of scam texts is usually the same:
To get you to click, panic, send money, or hand over information before you stop to think.

When in doubt:
❌ Don’t click
❌ Don’t reply
✅ Verify independently

👉 Learn more fraud prevention tips at: https://iowafraudfighters.gov/