State works to educate public about rising threat of cybercrime across Montana

By Bryanna Carroll  |  NBC Montana BOZEMAN, Mont. — The FBI reports cybercrimes are up 62% from 2019 levels, and since then, losses from internet scams have more than tripled, coming in at $12.5 billion last year. Montana is not immune to the threat. In 2023, the state ranked No. 7 nationwide for highest losses per … Read more

Fool’s Gold! The Montana Precious Metals Scam

“Mr. and Mrs. Allen, my name is Trevor and I have been authorized to give you a special offer.  Our firm, SilverCert, has just acquired a cache of uncirculated gold coins from an estate near Morocco.  These finely minted coins date from the 1920s and each with a troy ounce of pure gold.  While we … Read more

Protecting the Big Sky from scams

By: McKenna Holman | KRTV Click HERE to view the article.    The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) office is going around Montana educating communities on what to look for in potential scam situations and who the most vulnerable targets are. “We do see that seniors are scammed out of more money oftentimes because they … Read more

State officials sound alarm on tax season, investor scams

By SCOTT SHINDLEDECKERThe Western News Click HERE to view the article.    Investment scams cost consumers nearly $5 billion in 2023 and in response, the state is hosting several events meant to help consumers avoid becoming victims. The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is hosting 16 investor protection events in western Montana this month, including … Read more

Butte bounty hunter found guilty of homicide

Montana Right NowView story HERE. BUTTE, Mont. – Bondsman Jay Steven Hubber and his bounty-hunting partner, Nicholas John Jaeger, were found guilty on Thursday, March 14, 2024 for deliberate homicide and aggravated burglary. According to the release from the Office of the Montana State Auditor, William Harris died due to shots from Jaeger, a convicted … Read more

Tour Defends Against Financial Scams on Montana’s Elderly

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – In addition to now running for Congress, Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Insurance Troy Downing is continuing his tradition of traveling over the state to educate the elderly and their caregivers about how to avoid financial and other scams that have exploded over the past few years. Troy Downing … Read more

Protecting the Big Sky

Learn to safeguard your finances in the digital age. This week, the Meagher County Community Center is reaching out to the seniors of the community to provide information on generalized resources through the Rocky Agency on Aging. However, the Community Center is not just stopping there. Instead, into next week, the center is continuing to … Read more

T. Falls presentation to focus on financial scams

The Sanders County LedgerClick HERE to view the article. Common financial scams in Montana is the topic of a special presentation set for March 27 at the Thompson Falls Senior Center. Speaker Blaire Stapleton is the Investor Education and Public Outreach Coordinator for the Office of the Montana State Auditor Commissioner of Securities and Insurance … Read more

State Auditor’s Office teaches Great Falls seniors how to prevent fraud

By: James Rolin   GREAT FALLS — Staff from the Montana State Auditor Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Office (CSIMT) came to the Highgate Senior Living Facility on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, as part of a larger series of presentations that they are giving around the state. For the event, the Outreach Coordinator of CSIMT, Blair … Read more

Commission of Securities & Insurance partners with FBI to spread scam awareness

HELENA — The elderly are often targeted in financial scams, typically through their computers and cell phones, and Montana is no different. “I get probably ten scam emails a day and one or two ‘robocalls’ a month,” said 80-year-old Fred Cowie. He experiences scammers daily and spoke with me Thursday at Albertson’s in Helena, where … Read more