(Exira) Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird will be in Exira Thursday, October 1, for a public presentation on fraud and scams targeting Iowans.
Bird and Consumer Protection Investigator Al Perales will appear at the Exira Event Center beginning at 3 p.m. The presentation is open to the public.
The program will focus on common fraud schemes, ways consumers can protect themselves and their personal information, and what steps to take if they believe they have been the victim of a scam. Bird and Perales will also discuss resources available through the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and take questions from those attending.
The Attorney General’s Office regularly conducts consumer education events through its “Stop the Scammers” efforts. The office says scammers often target older Iowans with schemes involving impersonation, demands for money, and fraudulent investment opportunities.
Bird’s office has also warned about scams in which criminals pose as family members, law enforcement officers or other trusted individuals and create a sense of urgency to convince victims to send money.
A recent statewide “Stop the Scammers Tour” included 20 educational events and more than 1,400 attendees. Officials said the events prompted reports of suspicious activity, leading to 19 fraud investigations.
The Attorney General’s Office encourages Iowans who suspect they have been targeted by fraud to report it rather than ignoring it. The office provides consumer complaint assistance and resources for people who believe they have been victimized.
Thursday’s presentation begins at 3 p.m. at the Exira Event Center, 106 North Jefferson Street in Exira.
