Learn ways to protect yourself during Fraud Awareness Week, Nov. 14-21

Learn ways to protect yourself during Fraud Awareness Week, Nov. 14-21

Protecting yourself is the first step in preventing fraud. Scams come in many forms, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made threats more difficult to detect. Scammers can now use AI-generated voices, images and video to impersonate people and make these messages more convincing.

Pinellas County Consumer Protection, a division of Human Services, is dedicated to helping residents recognize scams so they can better protect their personal and private information. During Fraud Awareness Week, Nov. 14-21, 2026, Consumer Protection is hosting several free educational events to help the community be better prepared.

Protect yourself from scams and fraudulent transactions:

• Never send money to someone you do not know. Some payment methods such as cash, wire transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency may be nonrefundable.
• Avoid sharing personal or financial information with anyone you don't know.
• Remember that caller ID, recorded voices, text messages, and emails can be spoofed or faked.
• Be cautious about who you communicate with online, through text messages, or on social media, especially if the person insists on secrecy or claims to need money urgently.
  

Learn more at any of our free Fraud Awareness Week events, including two document shredding opportunities.

• Saturday, Nov. 14: Shredding and medication collection event, 9 - 11 a.m. or until the truck is full at East Lake High School, 1300 Silver Drive, Tarpon Springs. Limit three bags.
• Monday, Nov. 16: Identity Theft Presentation, 10 - 11 a.m. at the Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport.
• Tuesday, Nov. 17: Scams Presentation, 10 - 11 a.m. at the Dr. William E. Hale Senior Activity Center. 330 Douglas Ave., Dunedin.
• Wednesday, Nov. 18: Fraud Awareness Trivia, 2 - 3 p.m. at the Sunshine Senior Center, 330 5th St. N., St. Petersburg.
• Thursday, Nov. 19: Fraud Awareness Trivia, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at on Top of the World, 2069 World Parkway Blvd., Clearwater (East Activity Building).
• Thursday, Nov. 19: AI Scams Presentation, 2 - 3 p.m. at the Tarpon Springs Public Library, 138 E. Lemon St., Tarpon Springs.
• Friday, Nov. 20: Consumer Protection Information Table, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Largo Library, 120 Central Park Dr., Largo, and East Lake Library, 4125 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor.
• Saturday, Nov. 21: Shredding and medication collection event, 9 - 11 a.m. or until the truck is full, at the Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S., Gulfport. Limit three bags.

"Anyone can become a victim of a scam at any time and advancements in AI technology are making it even harder to detect." said Doug Templeton, Chief Investigator for Pinellas County Human Services Consumer Protection. "Consumer Protection is here to help our community members have the information and resources they need to protect themselves and prevent fraud," said Doug Templeton, Chief Investigator for Pinellas County Human Services Consumer Protection.

In Fiscal Year 2026, Consumer Protection received more than 1,275 complaints, investigated 943 Dispute Resolution cases, referred 109 criminal investigations to the State Attorney's Office for prosecution, and recovered $1.7 million in refunds, adjustments, and restitution for residents.

See our full shredding guide to help you decide what documents to bring to the shredding events. Learn more about Fraud Awareness Week events and Consumer Protection resources here: https://pinellas.gov/department/consumer-protection/.