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Steve Deines of Marion, Iowa lost thousands of dollars to overseas scammers who used phone harassment and pressure tactics to convince him to send money via gift cards and grant remote computer access. Local police emphasize that recovered funds are virtually impossible once transferred overseas, and they stress public education as the best prevention, advising people to avoid paying anyone with gift cards, ignore scare tactics and urgency demands, and verify requests through trusted contacts before taking action.

The Iowa Insurance Division is warning Medicare beneficiaries about scams during the 2026 open enrollment period (October 15–December 7), which scammers exploit to steal personal information and fraudulently enroll individuals in new plans. Common schemes include unsolicited calls and texts requesting Medicare numbers or personal data, with Medicare fraud costing an estimated $100 billion annually. Free assistance is available through certified SHIIP counselors across Iowa to help beneficiaries safely navigate enrollment decisions.

The FBI reports that cryptocurrency ATM scams resulted in nearly $250 million in losses in 2024, more than double the previous year, with scammers primarily using romance, impostor, and financial scams to trick victims into depositing money. An 85-year-old woman in Wisconsin was approached by police while being manipulated into depositing tens of thousands of dollars into a Bitcoin ATM after being told her bank account was hacked. Iowa's investigation found that 97% of crypto ATM transactions were scams, with victims losing over $20 million in less than three years, while companies operating these machines profit by taking up to 23% per transaction.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned residents about employment scams in which fraudsters pose as recruiters and offer work-from-home jobs via unsolicited text or email, then request personal financial information (Social Security numbers, bank account details) before interviews or job confirmation. The scam relies on victims providing sensitive data under the guise of employment paperwork, with no actual job existing. Bird advises verifying employers online, avoiding unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true, and never sharing personal information until after legitimate hiring by a verified company.

The Iowa Insurance Division's "Stop the Scammers" statewide tour visited 22 communities to educate Iowans about fraud prevention and reporting, resulting in investigations of over $10 million in fraud during the first eight months of 2025, with $2.7 million stopped before reaching scammers and nearly $270,000 recovered. Officials emphasize that scammers are professionals who exploit victims over extended periods, and that anyone pressured to make quick financial decisions should hang up and seek advice from family or authorities rather than feel shame about potential victimization. Reporting fraud is crucial as victims may recover some or all of their money, with reporting available through the Iowa Insurance Division at

Iowa's Department of Insurance and Financial Services has stopped over $2.7 million from being sent to scammers through their "Stop the Scammers" tour across 22 communities, while recovering an additional $270,000 that had already been sent to fraudsters. The department has investigated over $10 million in fraud statewide in 2025 and identifies key warning signs including requests for money from online contacts, pressure to keep transactions secret, cryptocurrency transfers, and promises of guaranteed returns.

Senator Dick Durbin questioned experts about phone scams targeting seniors, highlighting the growing threat of crypto ATM fraud as a tool used by scammers. An Iowa attorney general investigation found that over 98% of money seniors sent through Bitcoin Depot and 95% through Coinflip involved fraudulent transactions, with victims often deceived into believing they were preventing criminal prosecution. Durbin described seniors crying and distressed while depositing money into crypto ATMs and referenced support for legislation to address this scheme, with the AARP confirming they have witnessed victims being directed to these machines by criminals.

Iowa Attorney General Brena Bird warned of a rising trend of "grandparent scams" targeting older adults, in which scammers impersonate grandchildren and claim to be in accidents, hospitalized, or jailed, then request money. Bird advised seniors to hang up and verify such claims directly with trusted family members and to report suspected scams to local law enforcement.

AARP Iowa's Fraud Watch Program uses education and support services to help prevent and respond to scams, particularly romance scams targeting older adults. The program offers presentations, hotlines, and personalized assistance to victims, helping them navigate both financial recovery and emotional healing while addressing the shame that often prevents victims from seeking help.

Congressman Zach Nunn introduced legislation to combat "pig butchering" scams, which target elderly victims into investing in fraudulent opportunities; authorities seized $300 million in stolen funds from these schemes in 2023 alone. The bill would provide federal grant funding to local and state law enforcement agencies to investigate these fraud cases. Iowa's Attorney General's office reported receiving over 13,000 fraud complaints related to these scams.

Iowa's Attorney General's office reported a rise in grandparent scams targeting older adults in the state, particularly in Western Iowa. Scammers impersonate grandchildren claiming emergency situations—such as bail money, car accidents, or medical bills—and pressure victims to wire money or provide credit/debit card information immediately. Authorities advise grandparents to hang up, independently contact their grandchild or family members to verify the claim, and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement rather than complying with the scammer's demands.