Each day, deceitful scammers steal billions of dollars from hardworking consumers. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), American consumers reported losing over $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, a staggering 44% increase from the previous year. To help fight back, Cybercrime Support Network (CSN) and Target are joining forces to expand the public’s knowledge of some of the top financial scams.
Combining Resources
Many consumers are unaware of the risks associated with online scams, which often leads to devastating financial losses and identity theft. As online scams and fraud become more sophisticated and far-reaching, it is essential for the nonprofit and private sectors to combine their resources and expertise to help consumers recognize and avoid these scams.
“Over the last several years, the lines between physical and digital shopping have blurred, providing more opportunities for scammers,” said Rich Agostino, Target’s Chief Information Security Officer. “To help protect guests, we are expanding our investments to consumer awareness and education programs and are proud to partner with Cybercrime Support Network to help consumers better understand how they can protect themselves from these scams and support victims of these crimes.”
This partnership will leverage CSN and Target’s respective strengths to provide consumers with tips to spot common financial purchase scams, guidance to report these scams, and resources to help victims recover and reinforce their online security after experiencing a scam.
“We are thrilled to partner with Target to empower consumers with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves from cybercrime,” said Robert Burda, CSN’s CEO. “ It is critical that consumers understand the risks associated with scams and know how to report them, not only for their own protection but also for the good of our society as a whole. We look forward to collaborating with Target to create a safer digital world for everyone.”
Empowering Consumers
To effectively empower consumers against scams, Target and CSN will work together over the next 12 months to develop and implement four quarterly educational campaigns with the goal to expand the public’s knowledge of sophisticated online financial scams—focusing specifically on gift card scams, phishing scams, online shopping scams and advance fee scams.
“As a nonprofit organization, any time we can collaborate with companies like Target to further our mission to serve those impacted by cybercrime is effort well spent,” said Jenny Grounds, CSN’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We can’t wait to get started on this mutual endeavor to get this crucial information out to the masses.”
Through this project, Target and CSN will arm the public with the know-how to identify red flags and steer clear of scams by developing free downloadable assets, explainer videos and expanded blog content and distributing them via social media, email marketing and media outreach efforts. These campaigns will also leverage the reach of social media influencers within the lifestyle, tech and financial industries to drive awareness and education on the top financial scams impacting everyday consumers.
Joining Forces for a Safer Digital World
The staggering increase in financial fraud in recent years underscores the urgent need for consumer education and empowerment. That’s why Cybercrime Support Network and Target have teamed up to provide the public with the tools and resources they need to fight back against online scams. By combining their expertise and resources, these two organizations are making a significant contribution to the fight against cybercrime. This partnership serves as a powerful example of how private-public collaborations can make a significant difference in addressing critical societal issues. Together, Cybercrime Support Network and Target are empowering consumers to protect themselves and their financial wellbeing, contributing to a safer digital world for all.
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