<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=09lTv0_0w22gINB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=09lTv0_0w22gINB00" width="980" height="653" ><figcaption>Sloppy Joe</figcaption></figure><p>A few years ago while we were visiting Iowa, a friend, recounted how her father had been scammed in what was called a love scam. She said her dad was being taken advantage of by someone from another country claiming to be looking for love. It had been going on for some time and may have cost him thousands of dollars, she wasn't sure. After some investigating, her husband, a police officer, presented evidence to her father that he was being scammed. It did end but it's not the only one in Iowa, As we are learning it's not getting better.</p><p>In 2023 <a href="https://iowafraudfighters.gov/2024/02/14/dont-get-swept-away-by-a-romance-scam/">romance scams</a> accounted for nearly 30% of senior financial exploitation reports filed with the Iowa Insurance Division. They say those losses exceed $4 million. That's just one of the many scams that are impacting Iowa residents. These are actual scams that have taken money from Iowans reports The State of Iowa Attorney General's office. If it's not a love scam, Iowa has also seen, Identity, Investment, fraudulent rentals, <a href="https://workforce.iowa.gov/news/fraud-alerts">unemployment</a>, tech, IRS, charity, <a href="https://iowafraudfighters.gov/2022/06/23/medicare-fraud-guard-your-medicare-card/">Medicare</a>, compromised business email, <a href="https://iowafraudfighters.gov/2022/09/07/double-check-your-grandkids-to-avoid-being-scammed/">grandparent</a>, utility, and more scams that have taken $42.6 million out of the pockets of hard-working Iowans in 2023, alone. The occurrences are not isolated, they're pervasive and on the rise according to the F.B.I.</p><p>With all these scams the F.B.I. is asking that you '<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-announces-nationwide-take-a-beat-campaign-to-increase-awareness-of-frauds-and-scams">Take A Beat</a>' to help combat scams. They believe in equipping you with the knowledge to recognize potential scams and avoid hasty decisions that could lead to financial losses. Here are some ways to keep scams at bay according to the F.B.I.'s '<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-announces-nationwide-take-a-beat-campaign-to-increase-awareness-of-frauds-and-scams">Take A Beat</a>' initiative.</p><ul><li>Be cautious of unsolicited contact</li><li>Don't click on links in unsolicited emails or texts, and don't respond to requests for personal information over the phone.</li><li>Verify the sender</li><li>If you receive a suspicious message, look up the company's phone number and call them to verify the request. You can also check the legitimacy of a business on the Better Business Bureau website.</li><li>Protect your accounts</li><li>Set up two-factor authentication for your accounts, and don't disable it. If you suspect your account has been compromised, contact your financial institution immediately.</li><li>Be careful what you share</li><li>Don't share personal information like your password, Social Security number, or bank account details. Also be careful what you share online, as scammers can use this information to guess your password.</li><li>Be wary of payment requests</li><li>Don't pay anyone who insists you can only pay with cryptocurrency, a gift card, or a wire transfer service. Also, don't deposit a check and send money back to the sender.</li><li>Report scams</li></ul><ul><li>If you're a victim of a scam, file a report with the <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/">Internet Crime Complaint Center</a> (IC3) as soon as possible.</li></ul><h2>50+ Photos From Iowans That Show How Beautiful Iowa Really Is</h2><h2>Photos of The Iowa Hawkeyes Vs. Troy Trojans September 14, 2024</h2><p>The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Troy Trojans, 38 to 21, on September 14, 2024. I took these pictures with my first press pass, thanks to U of I. After reviewing over 3,000 pictures I think these are decent enough to share. I hope you enjoy them.</p></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

$42.6 Million Scammed from Iowans’ in 2023, Here’s How to Prevent It

A few years ago while we were visiting Iowa, a friend, recounted how her father had been scammed in what was called a love scam. She said her dad was being taken advantage of by someone from another country claiming to be looking for love. It had been going on for some time and may have cost him thousands of dollars, she wasn't sure. After some investigating, her husband, a police officer, presented evidence to her father that he was being scammed. It did end but it's not the only one in Iowa, As we are learning it's not getting better.