U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI and Partners Announce ‘Don’t Click December’ Campaign to Combat Online Fraud | Idaho

BOISE – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho, in collaboration with the FBI and several local and tribal law enforcement agencies, has launched the second annual “Don’t Click December” campaign. The aim of this initiative is to raise public awareness of common online scams during the holidays, when cybercriminals often increase their activity.

The campaign includes a series of public service announcements (PSAs) released weekly throughout December. These videos highlight various scams, including QR code scams, cryptocurrency investment scams like “pig slaughter,” and tech support scams. Each PSA is intended to educate the public on how to recognize and avoid this type of fraud.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, Idaho residents lost over $33 million to online fraud in 2023. Officials urge individuals to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited messages, links or attachments and to review any suspicious communications.

“Online scams can have devastating consequences for individuals and families, especially during the holiday season,” said U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit. “By working together, we can reduce the risk of falling victim to these schemes.”

The campaign also aims to remove the stigmatization of fraud victims and encourages reporting fraudulent activity. Victims can report scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov or to local law enforcement authorities.

For more information about the campaign and tips on staying safe online, visit FBI.gov.