Libraries and Scam/Fraud Prevention

Learn how to protect yourself from scams through free library classes.

Libraries have long been known for promoting basic literary skills and have helped generations of people become more proficient in English. This, in turn, leads to other kinds of literacy, including financial and health literacy—forms of literacy not easily managed if someone struggles with reading and writing in English.

Now, libraries are tackling another vital form of literacy that affects people of all ages: consumer scams. Many of these scams have become frighteningly sophisticated and difficult for even the most tech-savvy person to detect. People can find themselves cheated out of thousands of dollars very quickly.

Library workers across the US have recognized this is a problem for many of their patrons and are providing free classes and seminars, often in conjunction with relevant law enforcement, to educate people about what to watch out for and avoid.

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Mobile Public Library

In Mobile, AL, the Mobile Public Library offered several classes across its network in late 2023 and early 2024 to teach people how to recognize and prevent the newest scams and online safety tips. The library also maintains a page of financial resources that includes consumer pages such as Fraud.org.

Whatcom County Library System

Whatcom County Libraries in Washington state partnered with the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington using a grant from the National Science Foundation to develop best practices to teach people about scam avoidance. In early 2024, they launched an ad campaign called “Can You Spot a Scam?” The library website has a page offering patrons help using clear language not weighed down with jargon and urges patrons to ask library staff for help.

Jefferson County Public Library

Colorado’s Jefferson County Public Library system maintains a list of current information with links to trustworthy resources, including credit bureaus and the Federal Trade Commission, that discuss the latest details of scams and how to protect yourself.

Detroit Public Library

Detroit Public Library recently partnered with the Department of Homeland Security to offer a course on protecting yourself online. The seminar taught participants how to search safely online and recognize AI, text, financial, and (sadly) romance scams as being what they are—scams.

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Quincy Public Library

The Quincy Public Library in Illinois offered a class as part of their Sustained Success Series that included the growing problem of fraud and how to protect money and assets.

Hawaii State Public Library System

The Hawaii State Public Library System has a comprehensive financial literacy page, covering everything from the basics of using credit cards to investments to protecting your identity and preventing fraud.

Johnson County Library

The Johnson County Library system in Kansas has a robust page on its website for people to learn more about financial protection, identity theft, and current scams.

OCLC

OCLC (formerly known as the Online Computer Library Center) shares services and programs with the overall library community. It offered a webinar called “Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft: How Libraries Can Help,” led by a member of the Federal Trade Commission and a Kansas careers/personal finance librarian. The webinar page has access to the slides and information along with additional resources.

Once again, libraries see a need and strive to meet it. No one wants to be the victim of a scam or fraud, and libraries want to help their patrons be safe.

Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries. 

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