$2.7 million stopped from being sent to scammers
By Tisa Tollenaar
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DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — More than $2.7 million from Iowans has been stopped from being sent to scammers.
The Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services partners with the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and Iowa AARP to host events to help Iowans prevent and report fraud or scams.
The “Stop the Scammers” tour started in Windsor Heights in April. 22 communities have hosted events. Iowa Insurance Division Fraud Bureau Chief Matt Mortvedt says more than $2.7 million in funds have been stopped from being sent to scammers since January 2025. The department has recovered $270,000 that was sent to scammers.
So far in 2025, the department has investigated over $10 million in fraud.
The Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services is asking Iowans to keep an eye out for key signs that a situation may be a scam:
Someone you met online asks you for money You asked to keep a secret or not to talk about this to anybody. You are instructed to transfer your money to “protect it.” You are instructed to get cash and mail it somewhere. You are instructed to deposit money into a cryptocurrency ATM. You are promised a guaranteed return on your investment that is too good to be true. You are instructed to purchase gift cards to make a payment.
Iowans can visit iowafraudfighters.gov for more information on the types of scams out there, 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.
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