Neighborhood Expo
On October 22, 2009, the Fraud Awareness Coalition participated in the Morris
Hill Neighborhood Association’s Neighborhood Expo. The Association actively advertised
this event through newspaper and television community calendars and through the distribution
lists of their association and two additional neighborhood associations.
Vendors included local businesses, community organizations and government agencies.
Boise City Council candidates were also on hand. 
Nearly 200 people attended this grand event.
Dave and Anita Rich and Tricia Carney represented the Fraud Awareness Coalition where bags,
brochures, DVDs and chocolates were distributed to attendees.
Throughout the evening, door prizes donated by vendors were raffled off. The Coalition,
courtesy of State Farm, provided a family picnic pack consisting of insulated lunch bags and drink
mugs, Frisbees, a variety of balls, road atlas and picnic blanket all in a convenient tote.
This was a productive networking opportunity for the Coalition. Several attendees were
interested in presentations for their groups, and some people expressed an interest in joining
the Coalition as sponsors. Library and Boise Planning & Development representatives requested
information so they could link the Coalition Web site to their own sites.
Educating Idahoans about the cost and impact of fraud on society is one of the major aims
of the Coalition. Attending community events and talking to Idahoans is one way we achieve this goal.
Coalition members are available to speak to groups in different venues on a variety of topics. To
schedule a speaker, contact
Tricia Carney via email.
Treasure Valley Neighborhood Watch Summit
The Fraud Awareness Coalition was represented at the Neighborhood Watch Summit
at the Red Lion Downtown on Saturday, October 10. This event is sponsored by the
Idaho Crime Prevention Association and law enforcement groups including police
and sheriff departments throughout the Treasure Valley. On October 22, 2009, the Fraud Awareness Coalition participated in the Morris Hill Neighborhood Association's Neighborhood Expo. The Association actively advertised this event through newspaper and television community calendars and through the distribution lists of their association and two additional neighborhood associations.
Neighborhood Watch Chairpersons, Home Owner Association and Neighborhood
Association board members met to hear keynote speaker John Campbell talk about
community problem solving, organizing and leadership and learn how to improve
neighborhoods and make them safer places to live and raise families.
 They attended several breakout sessions taught by law enforcement personnel to
learn about citizen involvement, the impact of foreclosures on neighborhoods,
how to mobilize your community against gangs and responsibilities of neighbors
in maintaining healthy neighborhoods.
The Fraud Coalition distributed brochures and bags to attendees and encouraged
them to contact members of the Coalition to talk to their neighborhood groups
about fraud and the impact it has on families and communities. As a result, the
Coalition has been invited to participate in the Morris Hill Neighborhood
Association’s Neighborhood Expo on October 22.
One of the underlying purposes of the Coalition is to educate Idahoans about
fraud trends and scams. Going out into the community and talking to citizens is
one way we can achieve this goal. Coalition members are available to speak to
groups. To schedule a speaker, contact
Tricia Carney via email.
Coalition Members Available for Outreach Events
Fraud Coalition members manned a booth at the Western Idaho Fair this summer
where we were able to reach out to hundreds of people and talk to them about the
different kinds of fraud that Idahoans are facing. We also heard from many of
these people about how their lives had already been affected by fraud.
Some people who visited out booth requested speakers to visit their groups and
talk to them about fraud. Our first outreach presentation that came as a direct
result of our presence at the fair was held Wednesday, September 23, for a leads
group in Boise. 
About 25 people were in attendance at the meeting. Don Roberson, Department of
Insurance Investigations Supervisor, was the speaker. Among other things, he
talked about a recently closed case in which a former insurance agent had
attempted to use unauthorized proprietary information to rewrite life insurance
policies from one company to another.
The group was attentive and asked relevant questions which enhanced the
presentation and made it personal for them.
A primary goal of the Coalition is to educate Idahoans about fraud trends and
scams. Coalition members are available to speak to groups. To schedule a
speaker, contact
Tricia Carney via email.
Fraud Trends to Watch Out For
The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that approximately $20 billion is
lost to insurance fraud every year. NICB Senior Special Agent Mike McKee talks
about new fraud trends his agency has seen, in part as a result of the downturn.
Click
Western Idaho Fair 2009
The Fraud Awareness Coalition sponsored a booth at the Western Idaho Fair. From
August 21 through August 30 volunteers staffed the booth and distributed bags,
brochures and sponsor-donated items to fair-goers. This  outreach
opportunity provided a chance for members of the Coalition to work shoulder to
shoulder with one another.
READ MORE
Crime Prevention Fair
The Idaho Fraud Awareness Coalition participated in the Crime Prevention Fair
hosted by the Nampa Police Department, Saturday, August 1, 2009. Members of the
Coalition distributed brochures and other items. They spoke with members of the
public about fraud issues and consumer protection issues. 
Nampa Police projected 5,000 people would attend this event at Lakeview Park.
Other vendors included law enforcement agencies, emergency responders,
prevention groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations, civic groups and
local officials from southwest Idaho.
FraudWire - Report on Current Fraud Trends
The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud has issued their quarterly report,
FraudWire - Public Outreach. This publication reports on key developments
involving public outreach and media coverage of insurance fraud.
This document is of interest to the Idaho Fraud Awareness Coalition as we seek
media coverage of our activities in teaching the public how to recognize,
prevent and report fraud.
Click
here for the pdf document. |
