As Chief of Police, our agency remains vigilant in providing information to our community members when we observe increasing crime trends. We look to track these occurrences not only to ensure we have the right resources in place to thoroughly investigate the crimes committed, but also to provide the public with the education needed to protect themselves before they are victimized. So far this year, we are seeing an increase in online fraudulent criminal offenses. These types of crimes are very complex and often difficult to solve due to the vast network of cybercriminals operating worldwide. Scammers are adaptive, but their tactics often share common red flags. They prey on emotions–fear, panic, or excitement–to force quick, irrational decisions. They may pretend to be a trusted brand, like Amazon or a bank, or even a police officer claiming you have a warrant to intimidate you into sending money or sensitive data.

Scams to Watch Out For:

• Government Impersonation — Fake calls from the “IRS,” “Social Security,” or “Police” claiming your identity is compromised or that there’s a warrant for your arrest, you have missed jury duty, etc.

• Tech Support Scams — Pop-ups or calls falsely claiming your computer is infected, requesting remote access, or requiring unusual forms of payment.

• Phishing Emails — Messages that appear to be from banks, Amazon, or government agencies, urging you to click suspicious links or call fake numbers.

• Romance & Friendship Scams — Fraudulent online relationships that build emotional trust before asking for money — often using AI-generated photos or deep fake videos.

• The Grandparent Scam — A caller pretends to be a grandchild in trouble, using AI to mimic their voice and create a sense of urgency.

Providing our community with the education to protect themselves has proven to be difficult because of the numerous ways cyber criminals prey on their victims. In the first 7 weeks of this year, our agency has received 20 fraud reports and 5 cases of identity theft, 8 of which involved cyber-based fraud, totaling over $109,000. Without community awareness and public intervention, this amount could have reached $250,000 or more. Our most recent incidents involve individuals who have received an email or pop-up message indicating that the computer owner has downloaded a virus. The suspect offers to help the computer owner by gaining access to the victim’s computer, thereby gaining access to all the information on it. In some cases, the suspect reports finding obscene information on the computer pressuring the victim to pay more money to fix the problem or lets the victim believe the problem is taken care of when another suspect, impersonating a law enforcement professional advises the victim that they could be charged with a crime unless substantial fees are paid or by establishing a ransom to not go public with the victim’s information. The cases we have seen involve transferring money through online accounts, mailing cash, loading funds onto prepaid credit accounts, or converting funds to cryptocurrency.

This is a serious concern affecting individuals in our community’s checking, savings, and, in some cases, retirement income accounts. We frequently hear reports of phishing scams, where deceptive emails mimic legitimate organizations, and fraudulent websites trick users into providing sensitive personal information. No generation is immune, but seniors and young people often fall victim due to a lack of experience or, conversely, to online overconfidence. The consequences are devastating, leading to significant monetary losses, emotional distress, and privacy breaches.

To combat this, we need the public’s help in spreading the word and expanding our educational outreach on fraud. I urge our community to pay close attention to their own financial accounts and to talk with their family, friends, and neighbors about any potential scams or fraud they encounter.

Please keep these tips in mind:

• Be skeptical of Unsolicited Requests: Do not click links in unexpected emails or text messages, and never provide personal information over the phone.

• Verify Before Buying: Only shop on reputable websites and avoid deals that seem too good to be true.

• Rethink & Pause: If an unsolicited contact (email, call, text) creates intense fear or urgency, stop. Legitimate agencies and companies will not threaten you with immediate arrest or force you to pay instantly.

• Refuse Unusual Payment Methods: Never pay for services, products, or debts with cryptocurrency, gift cards, or instant payment apps (e.g., Venmo, Zelle). Never feel forced to pay for services or debts through a cryptocurrency kiosk or Bitcoin ATM.

• Verify Directly: Never use the contact information provided in a suspicious message. Instead, look up the institution’s official phone number or website and call them directly to verify.

If you believe you have been scammed, do not let embarrassment prevent you from reporting it. Time is of the essence. Contact our agency with questions or for assistance, and report suspected fraud to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

We are committed to tracking down these criminals, but an educated and cautious community is our best partner in prevention.

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Christopher Jones is the chief of the

Marshalltown Police Department.