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Preventing Financial Scams

The Community Foundation’s newest initiative is directed at preventing financial scams. There are many financial scams:

  • A strange caller asking you for your Social Security number.
  • A romantic partner controlling your finances.
  • Caregivers exploiting vulnerable seniors.
  • A family member making suspicious cash withdrawals.
  • Predatory loans.

We launched the Preventing Financial Scams Initiative by hosting two community conversations in 2019. We convened funders, professional advisors, nonprofits, and government agencies to learn more about the most pressing issues. Most importantly, the Community Foundation listened to people who had been directly impacted by scams or financial abuse. Residents shared their stories, discussed many forms of financial scams, and identified solutions. Participants envisioned the Community Foundation as an educator on scams.

Tips to Protect Yourself

  1. Be mindful of messages that have a sense of urgency or emotional amplification
  2. You do not have to send money to receive a prize
  3. The Social Security Administration and IRS will not call you to confirm your Social Security Number
  4. Do not send money or gift cards to someone you have never met
  5. If you suspect fraud, file a complaint with the Nevada Attorney General at http://ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/ or by calling 888-434-9989. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by calling their Consumer Response Center at (1-877-382-4357) or visiting https://ftc.gov/complaint
  6. If you suspect someone elderly or vulnerable is being abused, exploited, neglected, or abandoned, call Nevada Adult Protective Services at 888-729- 0571

Click here for more tips on preventing and reporting financial scams or abuse

 

Latest Scams in Northern Nevada

In a recent press release, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig warned of a surge of tax-related fraud and identity theft surrounding Coronavirus Tax Relief: “‘The IRS isn’t going to call you asking to verify or provide your financial information so you can get an economic impact payment or your refund faster… That also applies to surprise emails that appear to be coming from the IRS. Remember, don’t open them or click on attachments or links.
Visit IRS.gov for the most up-to-date information

Click here to read more scams targeting our community.

Events

The Community Foundation is hosting a virtual Coffee and Conversation on Friday, May 8 via Zoom. Click here for more information and to register for the event.

Request an event

Would you like to have an educational event with your organization, club, neighbors, or family? Call the Community Foundation at 775-333-5499 or email Nick Tscheekar: NTscheekar@nevadafund.org

Share Your Story

Do you have a story about scams you would like to share? Were you able to stop a scammer? Please email Nick Tscheekar: NTscheekar@nevadafund.org and include the following information:

  1. Your name
  2. Your email
  3. Briefly describe the scam what happened
  4. What do you want others to know?
  5. Was there anything or anyone that was helpful?

Your story will not be shared without your permission.

Please note this platform is instead only to share helpful information with the community and will not prompt a law enforcement response. Fraud reports or complaints should be submitted Nevada Attorney General at http://ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/ or by calling 888-434-9989. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by calling their Consumer response Center at (1-877-382-4357) or visiting https://ftc.gov/complaint

Reporting scams, fraud, or financial abuse

Nevada Attorney General
Online: http://ag.nv.gov/Complaints/File_Complaint/
Phone: 888-434-9989

Federal Trade Commission
Online: https://ftc.gov/complaint
Phone: 1-877-382-4357

Nevada Consumer Affairs
Online: http://consumeraffairs.nv.gov/About/File_a_complaint/

Adult Protective Services
Cases of abuse, exploitation, abandonment, and/or neglect of seniors or vulnerable populations
Phone: 888-729-0571

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Complaints about financial products and services https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker
https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/

Other Government Agencies

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Federal Trade Commission – Identity Theft
https://www.identitytheft.gov/

FBI Scams and Safety
https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety

Scam Trackers and Fraud Alerts

Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker
https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/

AARP Scam Tracking Map
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tracking-map/

Robo Calls and Phone Scams

Federal Trade Commission National Do Not Call Registry
Online: https://www.donotcall.gov/
Phone: 1-888-382-1222

Phone Number – Lookup Unknown Caller Directory
https://800notes.com/

HIYA
Call Blocker and Protection https://hiya.com/

Checking Charities

Community Foundation of Western Nevada
Phone: 775-333-5499

Guidestar
Nonprofit reports and information https://www.guidestar.org/

Charity Navigator Evaluates charities
https://www.charitynavigator.org/

Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance
http://www.give.org/

IRS
Tax Exempt Organization Search https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/