The Scam Red Flags and Avoiding Fraud lesson was the first to be released in a series of three fraud lessons intended for use by homemaker clubs as well as Family and Consumer Science agents. The lesson is starting to see some use, and early evaluation reports show it has met with success.

Federal sources of fraud reporting show that fraud can happen to anyone. According to July 2020 data from the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network, fraud is more often reported by those age 20-49. However median dollar looses are much higher for those over 50, starting at $300 for age 50-59, and increasing significantly with each age bracket up to $1,250 for age 80 and over. Sharing fraud prevention resources could help reduce the likelihood of victimization. Furthermore, providing fraud reporting contact information could increase reporting, which in turn could assist authorities in working to stop fraud.

Although the lesson was first made available in fall 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed presentation at the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association State Meeting as it was canceled. However, the lesson had been available to agents, a few of whom selected it for their homemaker lesson rotation. According to the 2020-2021 Management and Safety Program of Work Report, 1,291 homemakers feel prepared to protect their money from fraud as a result of the programming. More than 1,000 took steps to reduce offers, 1,144 implemented strategies to protect themselves, and 306 reported potential scams to authorities.

The lesson was debuted to the state KEHA audience at large at the Management and Safety workshop at KEHA State Meeting in June 2021. Since then, it also has been presented at a statewide teacher’s conference, as well as at the Kentucky-hosted National Volunteer Outreach Network (NVON).

At the NVON conference, 10 participants returned evaluations after the session. Of those respondents 90% said they now understand the tricks and tactics a con artist might use, 70% learned at least two ways to protect themselves from fraud, and 80% could now name at least one organization to which fraud can be reported. As far as their practices, 90% plan to reduce the number of offers they receive by joining a list or by hanging up on or avoiding unknown callers. Also, 80% plan to report potential fraud and scams. Respondents stated that the most significant thing they learned was to report fraud (2 respondents), as well as to be skeptical, watch for red flags, and beware of phone calls (1 respondent each). One participant noted, “Don’t hesitate to report possible fraud.”

The program also was presented to a younger audience of University of Kentucky students. Five of the students in the small class returned evaluations. Of the respondents, 80% said they plan to reduce offers or avoid unknown callers, and 100% said they plan to report potential fraud. Significant learnings include fraud protection (3 respondents), as well as where to report and checking credit reports (1 respondent each). One student remarked, “I now know where to go to report fraud. I was unaware of the multiple programs available.” Another stated, “I learned a lot to help my dad who is at risk of fraud.”