According to recent data and reports, fraud and scams are significantly on the rise, with consumers experiencing increasing losses due to sophisticated online and offline tactics used by criminals, particularly in the form of government impersonation scams, phishing emails, and other forms of imposter fraud; with many victims reporting substantial financial losses.

Fraudsters are tricking consumers out of more money than ever before, through more channels than ever before: emails, texts, social media, phone calls. In just the U.S., consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud in 2023, a record — and many people are too embarrassed or ashamed to report they’ve been scammed. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that global cybercrime damage costs will reach $9.5 trillion in 2024.

The Gulf Shores Police, FBI-Mobile Field Office, US Postal Inspection Service, Alabama Securities Commission and local banks have teamed up to provide a seminar about problem and what you can do to fight prevent it happening to your family or organization.

The Fraud & Financial Crime Seminar is this Friday, November 15 from 1 PM - 5 PM at the Gulf Shores Activity Center. It's free, open to the public and no pre-registration is required.