Idaho District | The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI, along with tribal and local law enforcement officials, announce the second Don’t Click December consumer protection campaign

BOISE – During the holidays, online criminals are increasingly targeting Idahoans through online scams and scams. Today, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, along with the FBI, Fort Hall Police Department, Bannock County District Attorneys and Sheriffs, Bonneville County District Attorneys and Sheriffs, Idaho Falls Police Department and Pocatello Police Department announced their joint consumer protection campaign “Don’t Click December”. AARP is also participating in the announcement and awareness campaign.

The campaign advises the public to exercise skepticism and caution when receiving unsolicited online, email, pop-up or text communications from unknown or unverified sources. If there is doubt about a link, message or attachment, law enforcement warns: “Don’t click on it.”

As part of the campaign, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and their partners will release a public service announcement each week in December leading up to Christmas. In the first PSA, available here, FBI Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha, Fort Hall Police Chief Pat Teton, and U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit introduce “Don’t Click December” and explain some of the ways individuals can be targeted.

Three additional PSAs will alert the public to common online scams that Idaho law enforcement has identified as affecting Idahoans. These schemes are:

• “QR” Fraud: This scam targets individuals using corrupt or fictitious QR codes. Often the scammer will send a fraudulent QR code via email or SMS to trick you. They can even cover up legitimate QR codes with their own corrupted code, with the goal of tricking you into a fake website that can steal your information when you log in. Always check with the restaurant or store if you suspect a QR code is suspicious.
• “Pig slaughter” scam: In this cryptocurrency investment scam, known as “pig slaughter,” victims typically receive messages asking them to deposit funds into financial assets using cryptocurrencies. After an initial investment, victims receive further communications with a fake account report claiming financial gains to trick them into investing more. However, the investments are fake and all the money is under the control of criminals who end up stealing victims’ investments. If someone you don’t know contacts you about an investment opportunity via social media, text messages, or dating sites, Don’t click on it! If the message appears to be from an investment company where you actually invest, check the email address to make sure it is from the company where you invested.
• “Technical support” scam: In this scam, criminals pose as technology, bank or government officials to convince victims to share personal information. A pop-up window may appear on your computer stating that your accounts have been hacked and asking you to call a number. But that number goes to the scammer who is trying to manipulate you to get access to your computer or accounts and take your money to fix a non-existent problem. If you receive such a request, Don’t click on it. Government agencies and reputable companies will never call you or send unsolicited pop-up messages asking for access to your computer.

Unfortunately, these are not the only projects that have an impact on the public, and new ones are constantly emerging. Law enforcement officials hope the Don’t Click December consumer protection campaign will raise public awareness and encourage individuals to talk to their friends and family about not clicking on suspicious links, text, messages, pop-ups or attachments.

“We have seen many Idahoans lose their hard-earned money or their entire retirement savings to online fraud. And unfortunately, this type of crime tends to increase during the holiday season,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “But together, we can reduce the risks by talking to each other about how to avoid such scams, and I am grateful to our law enforcement partners and AARP for joining us in the Don’t Click December campaign. We also encourage Idaho residents to report any scams as quickly as possible so law enforcement can investigate and bring these malicious online criminals to justice.”

“According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, Idaho residents lost more than $33 million to various scams last year,” said Special Agent in Charge Shohini Sinha of the FBI in Salt Lake City. “As we shop, bank and stay connected online, it is important to remain vigilant and aware of internet-related crime. The FBI is proud to work with our law enforcement partners to share these important safety messages to protect you and your money, especially during the busy holiday season.”

“We are pleased to work with our partners to raise awareness of online fraud targeting our citizens. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re not familiar with it, don’t click on it,” Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei said.

“The advancement of technology, particularly the use of AI, and the complexity of criminal organizations are making it increasingly difficult for Idahoans to evade the criminals who seek to defraud them,” said Lupe Wissel, AARP Idaho state director. “This initiative is a great way for Idahoans to share information with their friends, family and neighbors to protect everyone from scammers.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners recognize that we must all work to eliminate the stigma that individuals can experience when they become victims. There is no shame in falling victim to an online program often developed, sophisticated and repeatedly tested across the country by professional criminals.

That’s why the Don’t Click December consumer protection campaign also promotes ways to report scams and fraud incidents to the FBI and local law enforcement.

To learn more about this and other scams targeting Americans, visit us FBI.govand if you believe you have been a victim, take action by reporting it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov or contact your local law enforcement agency.

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