(207) 355-7727
Insights And Stories: The Give IT. Get IT. Blog
Fraud prevention maine give it get it tips to avoid maine gigi PDF guide
  • Date: June 26, 2026
  • Category: learn IT

Your Guide to Scam Prevention Resources

 

 give IT. get IT.  | A Comprehensive Resource Roundup

There is no shortage of help available when it comes to protecting yourself and your loved ones from online fraud. The challenge is knowing where to look. We have pulled together the most useful free resources in one place, organized by category so you can find exactly what you need.

Download a full PDF guide of resources here

Read out full “Tips + Tricks” guide to help you understand how to protect yourself from scams.

All of the resources listed here are free. You should never have to pay for scam prevention help.

 

Report a Scam

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center — ic3.gov

The main federal hub for reporting online fraud and cybercrime. Your report helps the FBI track trends and take action. File a complaint even if you are unsure — every report matters.

FTC Report Fraud — reportfraud.ftc.gov

The Federal Trade Commission’s complaint portal. Reports feed into a national database used by law enforcement across the country.

Maine Attorney General Consumer Protection — maine.gov/ag/consumer

Report scams directly to Maine’s AG office and find Maine-specific consumer alerts and guidance.

Identity Theft Recovery — identitytheft.gov

If your personal information has been stolen, this FTC site walks you through a step-by-step personalized recovery plan.

 

Help for Older Adults

Elder Fraud Hotline — ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope

Call 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311), Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm ET. Staffed by specialists who can help you understand your options and connect you with local resources.

AARP Fraud Watch Network — aarp.org/money/scams-fraud

One of the best consumer fraud resources available. Includes a free helpline at 1-877-908-3360, scam tracking map, and plain-language guides to every major scam type. You do not have to be an AARP member to use it.

Eldercare Locator — eldercare.acl.gov

A federal service that connects older adults with local support resources, including financial exploitation assistance. Call 1-800-677-1116.

Maine Bankers Association Senior$afe Program — mainebankers.com/maine-banks-consumer-resources/seniorafe

Information on how Maine banks train employees to recognize and respond to elder financial exploitation, and what you can do to protect yourself.

 

Maine-Specific Resources

Maine Attorney General Top Scams FAQ — maine.gov/ag/faq/top20.shtml

A plain-language breakdown of the most common scams targeting Mainers, including fake cashier’s checks, lottery fraud, and more.

Maine Bankers Association Fraud in a Box — mainebankers.com/maine-banks-consumer-resources/fraud-in-a-box

A community education toolkit on fraud prevention, available through Maine banks.

Maine Bankers Association Consumer Resources — mainebankers.com/maine-banks-consumer-resources

A hub of financial literacy and fraud prevention materials from Maine’s banking community.

 

Online Safety and Password Protection

Stay Safe Online — staysafeonline.org

Run by the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Beginner-friendly guides on creating strong passwords, avoiding phishing, setting up two-factor authentication, and protecting your devices.

Have I Been Pwned — haveibeenpwned.com

Enter your email address to instantly find out if it has been exposed in a known data breach. Free, fast, and requires no account.

FTC Consumer Information — Identity Theft — consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft

Step-by-step guidance on preventing and recovering from identity theft, in plain language.

General Fraud Information

USA.gov Scams and Fraud — usa.gov/scams-and-fraud

A government clearinghouse linking to fraud resources across all federal agencies.

FTC Consumer Advice — consumer.ftc.gov

Plain-language articles on hundreds of scam types, from fake tech support to romance fraud to prize scams.

IC3 Elder Fraud Page — ic3.gov/CrimeInfo/ElderFraud

The FBI’s dedicated elder fraud page with brochures, public service announcements, and guidance on what to do if you or someone you know has been targeted.

OCC Fraud Resources — occ.gov/topics/consumers-and-communities/consumer-protection/fraud-resources/types-of-consumer-fraud.html

The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s overview of common consumer bank fraud types.

 

If you are ever unsure whether something is a scam, call someone you trust before you act. That one step can save you from serious loss.

For more technology tips and resources, visit  give IT. get IT.  at giveitgetit.org.

 

Join our community of donors, volunteers, educators, and partners working to close the digital divide across New England. We'll keep you informed, inspired, and involved. No spam ever.