FraudFest 2025 - Event Takeaways

March 4: Cryptocurrency Webinar

To understand how crypto is used to scam people, it helps to understand what cryptocurrency is, how it's used, and how it works. Arica Kulm, Ph.D., Director of Digital Forensics Services, DigForCE Lab at Dakota State University, covered the basics and showed how crypto fraud plays out. Check out our YouTube playist to watch short clips from the webinar. It won't take long for you to get wise to crypto!

Watch our Crypto Fraud Playlist!

March 19 Minot Lunch & Learn

According to speaker Cory Krebs, Assistant Commissioner - ND Dept. of Financial Institution, the 106 attendees at the Minot FraudFest Lunch and Learn should have walked away knowing three things: 1) The world is changing fast, understand the financial products you're using. 2) If you don't understand your tool or question some account activity — ask! Your financial institution is there to serve you. 3) Stay vigilant about your finances.

AARP ND also ensured attendees know that reporting fraud is vital to preventing it, and the Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) is a fantastic tool for answering questions, getting help and reporting scams. Thanks to KX News for their story on the event.


April 15 Government Imposters - Bismarck
Attendees learned all about government imposter scams and what they can do to protect themselves from different types of scams and how to identify them, even over the phone! It's important to remember that the government doesn't operate the way scammers do and that resources such as the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline (877-908-3360) are here to support you.

April 26 Shredding - West Fargo & Bismarck:
The Shredding events in West Fargo and Bismarck were a huge success! Bismarck shredded a grand total of 12,140 lbs. of paper, beating last year's 11,275 lbs. total! West Fargo ended their day with 11,040 lbs. of paper shredded with last year's total coming in at 13,963 lbs. By disposing of sensitive documents properly, attendees created another layer of protection between them and scammers.

May 14 & 21 Lunch & Learn - Watford City & Jamestown:
During the FraudFest Lunch & Learn, presenter Parrell Grossman provided insightful information on how to recognize fraudulent activity and ways to take action. Attendees left with a new perspective on how react to victims of financial crime; remembering to always show victims empathy and avoid statements that imply blame. They also learned how to detect commonly used scams and how our emotions affect financial decision-making. Our presenter wrapped up the event with helpful tips on how to protect yourself from scammers. This included access to resources such as the AARP Fraud Helpline (877-908-3360) to report activity or to ask questions.