Attorney General Greg Zoeller announces new
tool to help protect Hoosiers from fraud

Hoosiers can receive email and text alerts onto
fraud trends and tips to avoid falling victim

INDIANAPOLIS – Attorney General Greg Zoeller and Director of the Consumer Protection Division, Abby Kuzma, today announced the launch of the Consumer Alert Program, a consumer fraud early warning system. The program will notify consumers by email or text message of frauds or scams believed to pose a threat to Hoosiers. Tips on how to avoid the scams and what to if victimized will also be included in the alerts.

“It is a full-time job tracking fraud trends and we appreciate how hard it is for everyone to keep up with all the scams cropping up all over the country,” Zoeller said. “Very few scams actually originate in Indiana and it is our job to monitor and identify which pose the greatest threat to Hoosiers. This alert program is an education and prevention tool consumers can use to protect themselves.”

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division coordinates with the Federal Trade Commission, National Association of Attorneys General, Better Business Bureau and other consumer protection agencies to gain knowledge of scams occurring in other states in order to provide quick notice of the potential threat to Hoosiers. Consumers who are signed up to receive the alerts will receive information by email or text message about which scams to avoid.

“We are seeing an increased sophistication in the scams being run today causing millions of Americans and thousands of Hoosiers to fall victim to fraud every year,” Kuzma said. “The goal of the Consumer Alert Program is to arm consumers with the information they need to avoid these situations.”

Anyone can sign up to receive the alerts. Visit www.IndianaConsumer.com and click on the red “Consumer Alert” button to complete the sign-up process. The alerts will be delivered via email or text message depending on individual preferences.

All contact and personal information is strictly confidential.

The topics of the alerts will vary depending on the types of scams occurring, the time of year and trends in the economy. Examples of alert topics include:

• Telemarketing robo call scams
• Foreclosure consultant companies operating illegally in Indiana
• Door-to-Door solicitors selling unsafe products
  

It is the mission of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division to educate and protect Hoosiers from unscrupulous businesses and individuals as well as professional license holders who may pose a threat to citizens of Indiana. The Consumer Protection Division is also responsible for investigating and responding to consumer complaints to ensure safe and fair commerce in Indiana.

To sign up to receive consumer alerts, file a complaint or learn more about how to prevent becoming a victim of fraud, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com.