IA Fraud Fighters

10/15/2026

Iowa Nice is a good thing. Iowa too nice? Scammers are counting on it. 👋🌽

Holding the door for someone? Iowa nice. Helping a neighbor? Iowa nice.

Sharing personal information with a stranger who calls, texts or emails you? Not Iowa nice.

Scammers may sound friendly, know details about you or claim to represent an organization you recognize. That doesn’t mean they can be trusted.

Be kind, but stay cautious. Pause, verify and protect your personal information.
Learn more at IowaFraudFighters.gov.

10/13/2026

🚨 A dream job can turn into a nightmare fast.

Job scammers know how to make an offer sound exciting, especially when the pay is high and the process feels unusually easy.

Watch for red flags like:

Being “hired” without a real interview.
Being asked to pay upfront.
A salary that seems too good to be true.
Emails coming from a personal or suspicious address.
Requests for banking or sensitive personal information too early.
Being sent a check and told to buy equipment or send money elsewhere.
Pressure to act quickly before you have time to verify the offer.

Before you say yes, pause and verify the company and the job offer through trusted sources.

Learn more about spotting job scams at IowaFraudFighters.gov.

10/13/2026

The holiday season should be filled with joy, not scams! Join Iowa Fraud Fighters for a FREE dinner and discussion to learn how to spot common holiday scams, recognize red flags and protect yourself and your loved ones.

📅 Thursday, November 19
⏰ 5:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Prairie Meadows | Altoona, Iowa
🍽️ FREE dinner included!

🎁 Give yourself the gift of fraud protection this holiday season!

Seats are limited, and registration is required! Secure your spot today:

https://iowafraudfighters.gov/holiday-stop-the-scammers-dinner/

10/07/2026

🚩 Pressure. Threats. Secrecy. Requests for passwords.

If a caller uses any of these tactics, that’s your cue to stop and think before you act.
Scammers often rely on urgency and fear to keep you from asking questions. Don’t let them rush you. Hang up, pause and verify the situation using a trusted phone number or contact method.

When something feels off, trust that instinct and take time to check it out.
Learn more ways to recognize and avoid scams at IowaFraudFighters.gov.

10/07/2026

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a good reminder that a few simple habits can make a big difference in protecting your money and personal information. 🔐💻

Stay one step ahead of scammers by using strong, unique passwords, turning on multi-factor authentication, keeping devices updated and thinking twice before clicking unexpected links or attachments.

And remember: if a message creates urgency, asks for personal information or pressures you to act fast, pause and verify before you respond.

Learn more about protecting yourself from fraud at IowaFraudFighters.gov

09/28/2026

🚩 A “great investment opportunity” can come with some serious red flags.

Be cautious if someone promises:
• High, quick returns
• A “risk-free” investment
• “Guaranteed” profits or returns

Legitimate investments involve risk. If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, pause and verify before sending money.

Learn more about spotting investment fraud at IowaFraudFighters.gov.

09/23/2026

📣 Community Event Spotlight

Scams can leave victims feeling isolated, but support is available.

Aging Resources of Central Iowa is hosting “Stronger Than the Scam,” an in-person, judgment-free support group for older adults impacted by financial fraud and their loved ones.

📅 Tuesday, October 6
⏰ 2:30–4 p.m.

📍 Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave., Des Moines

For more information, call (515) 255-1310 and ask to speak with an Elder Rights Specialist.

09/22/2026

🧩 One Piece Doesn’t Fit? Pay Attention.

A message may look convincing at first, but scams often reveal themselves through one detail that just doesn’t belong.

Maybe it’s:
• A strange email address
• An unexpected payment request
• A link that looks slightly off
• Pressure to act immediately
• A request for information the real organization should already have

If one piece doesn’t fit, don’t force it.

Pause. Verify. Protect yourself.

Learn more at IowaFraudFighters.gov

09/22/2026

Thanks for having us!

A big thank you to Heather from IA Fraud Fighters for joining our community today.

She shared helpful tips with our residents on recognizing today’s scams and ways we can protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Visit their page for more helpful resources and information!

09/17/2026

🛑 THE 10-SECOND SCAM TEST
Before you click, reply or send money, give the message 10 seconds.

Ask yourself:
• Did I expect this message?
• Is it creating urgency or fear?
• Is it asking for money or personal information?
• Can I verify the sender another way?

If any answer raises a red flag, stop and verify before taking action.

A few seconds of caution can help protect your money and personal information.

Learn more at IowaFraudFighters.gov