Chances are, you or people you know have been the victim of a scam or fraud – a disturbing, destructive, and often devastating experience.
The Community Foundation of Northern Nevada has produced a series of short public service videos to help consumers avoid becoming victims of this growing threat in our community and around the world.
A series of 11 scam-prevention videos is now available at http://www.nevadafund.org/scams (or the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada’s YouTube Channel).
The Initiative aims to increase awareness of scams while offering tips to help people avoid being victimized. Some videos are offered in Spanish and Tagalog, in addition to English. Created in collaboration with the Better Business Bureau, each video averages 90 seconds in length and covers a specific type of scam:
• General scams (available in English, Spanish and Tagalog)
• Telephone scams
• Romance scams
• Email scams
• Grandparent scams
• Puppy scams
• Notario Fraud scams (immigration/legal fraud, available in English, Spanish and
Tagalog)
According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 2 million Americans are victims of scams and fraud each year. The steady supply of sly, persistent scammers, often deploying today’s sophisticated technology, only increases the likelihood of scammers targeting you, your family, or your friends.
The videos feature community members Manuel Mederos, Deanna Podstawa, Washoe County Chief Deputy Greg Herrera, Deanna Hearn, BBB’s Tim Johnston, Community Foundation’s Luiza Benisano, and Grant Denton.
“Scams can destroy finances and lives,” Nick Tscheekar, Community Engagement Officer with the Community Foundation, said. “These videos and our other resources can make the difference between guarding against a scam and becoming a victim. We’re fully committed to helping protect our community.”
Community Foundation’s Preventing Financial Scams Initiative
The Community Foundation launched its Preventing Financial Scams Initiative in 2019 after seeking feedback from the community to identify pressing issues in which the organization could make a difference.
“We spoke with many people from our region, including former victims of scams,” Tscheekar said. “We saw a gap in information that could protect our community and went to work on creating tips and tools to address this issue as a facet of preserving Northern Nevada’s special quality of life.”
The Community Foundation’s Preventing Financial Scams Initiative is directed by a steering committee of community members who guide the staff efforts of Tscheekar and the Foundation’s Community Engagement Associate Luiza Benisano.
All resources are free online (www.nevadafund.org/scams). They include regularly updated tip sheets via email, a twice-monthly electronic newsletter, and community presentations. Featured in the materials are various ways of reporting scams to local and national law enforcement, as well as through the BBB’s ScamTracker online system.
The series of scam-prevention videos is the Initiative’s latest resource be offered. As with all its free information and tips, the videos are aimed at helping combat the 24/7 onslaught of fraud and scam perpetrators. These relentless criminals are adept at catching people unaware and unprotected. They steal identities, con their targets out of money and possessions, and leave devastated victims feeling scared, violated, and vulnerable.
“We are striving to create awareness of the Community Foundation’s scam-prevention resources, which in turn provides awareness that protects people,” Tscheekar said. “Keeping ahead of scammers is a never-ending challenge, yet the positive and appreciate feedback we are receiving makes it gratifying to know we are having an impact.”
For more information, visit www.nevadafund.org or call 775-333-5499.
