Stop the Scammers Events Prevent Fraud

DES MOINES—Each year the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services partners with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and Iowa AARP to host a series of events across the state to raise awareness and help Iowans prevent and report fraud.

“As a result of this partnership, the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services has investigated over $10 million in fraud in the first eight months of 2025,” said Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau Chief Matt Mortvedt.  “Even more importantly, we have stopped over $2.7 million in funds being sent to scammers, while being able to recover nearly $270,000 in funds that were sent to scammers.”

The Stop the Scammers tour visited 22 Iowa communities and partnered with local law enforcement agencies to present a united front in preventing fraud across the state. In almost every community the tour has visited, Iowans have stepped forward and shared their personal experience of being scammed in hopes of helping others avoid becoming a victim.

“Scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated and frequent tactics that will always try to isolate you, gain your confidence and trust, and then get access to your assets in a way that is almost impossible to trace like cash, crypto currency or gift cards,” said Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen. “The only way to combat the escalating scams is educating Iowans to be vigilant and to provide resources to use when they suspect they might be getting scammed.”

Instances for fraud utilizing cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency ATMs have skyrocketed as it allows an enticing way for scammers to trick Iowans into transferring their assets instantly to the scammer.  The Iowa legislature recently enacted new laws related to cryptocurrency ATMs to help protect Iowans.

“The legislature acted when they saw how frequently cryptocurrency ATMs were being used by scammers to steal from Iowans,” said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. “Today, cryptocurrency ATM companies across our state are required to provide better disclosures, clearer warnings, and lower fees. This law strengthens protections for Iowans.”

The Common Signs of a Scam

• If someone you met online asks you for money – It’s a scam!
• If you are asked to keep a secret or not to talk about this to anybody – It’s a scam!
• If you are instructed to transfer your money to “protect it” – It’s a scam!
• If you are instructed to get cash and mail it somewhere – It’s a scam!
• If you are instructed to deposit money into a cryptocurrency ATM – It’s a scam!
• If you are promised a guaranteed return on your investment that is too good to be true – It’s a scam!
• If you are instructed to purchase gift cards to make a payment – It’s a scam!

The Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services encourages you to talk to friends, family, and trusted individuals about your situation.  Call the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, local law enforcement, or the Iowa Insurance Division.

Visit www.iowafraudfighters.gov for more information about various types of scams, how to report suspected fraud, and to watch educational videos.  Iowans that suspect that they have been or may currently be in the process of being scammed are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.