Romance and Investment Scam Education (R.I.S.E.)

🚨 We are excited to launch R.I.S.E. (Romance and Investment Scam Education), an initiative dedicated to protecting seniors and other vulnerable populations from the devastating impacts of romance and investment fraud.

🗓️ Tuesday, November 5, 2024

📍 Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S Prospect Ave, Elmhurst, IL 60126

⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Central

🎟️ FREE

Romance and investment scams are on the rise, with devastating emotional and financial consequences for victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), over 64,000 people reported romance scams in 2023, with losses totaling a staggering $1.1 billion. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received 17,823 complaints related to romance scams last year, resulting in nearly $653 million in losses.

However, these figures do not fully capture the recent and alarming trend of pig butchering, where scammers lure victims into false crypto investments for even larger financial payouts. In fact, investment scams were the costliest internet crime in 2023, with $4.6 billion in losses—far exceeding any other form of cybercrime.

🌟 The Coalition Against Financial Crime (CAFC) is committed to addressing this crisis. Through the R.I.S.E. program, we are determined to educate seniors and other vulnerable groups on how to spot these scams before they fall victim. The majority of romance scam targets are over the age of 55 (74%) and male (56%), many of whom are recently widowed or divorced, making them particularly vulnerable. Victims often suffer emotional devastation, loss of trust, and isolation.

For the CAFC, the R.I.S.E. initiative is about more than just preventing fraud—it’s about empowering our communities to protect themselves and their loved ones. This is just the beginning—many more R.I.S.E. classes are planned as part of our long-term mission to combat financial crime.

Let's continue bridging communities for a safer financial world. 🌎