During the holiday season, Idaho residents face an increased risk of online scams and fraud schemes. To combat this, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit has collaborated with the FBI and several local law enforcement agencies to release a third Public Service Announcement (PSA) under the "Don't Click December" Consumer Protection Campaign. The AARP is also part of this initiative.

The campaign urges the public to be cautious when dealing with unsolicited online communications from unknown sources. Law enforcement advises, "Don’t Click It," if there is any doubt about a link or message.

The latest PSA features Bonneville County Prosecutor Randy Neal, Bannock County Sheriff Tony Manu, and U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit discussing the "Pig Butchering" scam. This cryptocurrency investment fraud involves victims being persuaded to invest in fake opportunities through deceptive communication, ultimately losing their money to criminals.

"If you are contacted about an investment opportunity by someone you don’t know through social media, text, or dating sites, Don’t Click It!" states the PSA. Verification of sender details is advised even if messages appear from familiar companies.

Leading up to Christmas, one more PSA will be released to highlight common online frauds affecting Idahoans. Law enforcement hopes that these efforts will raise awareness and prompt conversations about avoiding suspicious links and messages.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit stated: “We have witnessed many Idahoans lose their hard-earned money or their entire retirement savings to online scams... But, together, we can reduce the risks by talking with each other about how to avoid such scams." He thanked law enforcement partners and the AARP for supporting the campaign and encouraged reporting of scams for investigation.

The campaign also aims to reduce stigma around falling victim to scams and encourages reporting incidents to authorities for further action.

For more information on scams targeting Americans or to report a crime, visit FBI.gov or file a complaint at IC3.govor with local law enforcement agencies.