Commissioner James Brown Leading Efforts to Safeguard Montana Seniors Scams are on the rise nationwide, but what is Montana doing to prevent them? The Office of the Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI), is leading statewide efforts to protect consumers from financial fraud, scams and deceptive investment practices. Under the leadership of Commissioner James Brown, CSI has strengthened its public awareness campaigns, coordinated with local organizations and developed targeted outreach to safeguard Montanans, particularly the state’s senior population, who are most at risk of exploitation. In my role, I work directly with organizations like the Montana Funeral Directors Association in communities across the state to educate consumers about emerging types of fraud and arm them with the knowledge that they need to stay safe. We always emphasize to consumers that “you are your first defense.” Public awareness is the most powerful tool in preventing fraud, and CSI’s educational outreach efforts are designed to make that message heard in every corner of the state. CSI’s Fraud Prevention Efforts The CSI’s mission is both to protect consumers and to hold financial wrongdoers accountable. These investigations often involve close collaboration with community members, local leaders and federal partners when cases cross jurisdictional lines. In addition to enforcement, CSI prioritizes prevention. Through public outreach, community presentations and educational materials, the office helps Montanans recognize red flags before they become victims. One of the key frameworks we teach is recognizing the “four Ps” of scams: scammers Pretend to be someone trustworthy, present a Problem to be solved or a Prize to be gained, Pressure you to act quickly, and ask for Payment in an unusual way. Understanding these behaviors can prevent costly mistakes. By KAITLYN WENZEL, Policy Analyst & Public Outreach Coordinator, CSI CSI has previously partnered with the FBI, state legislators and senior living facilities across the state to host events and fraud-awareness presentations. These collaborations ensure that information reaches those most vulnerable to scams, especially older adults who are frequently targeted. Through these partnerships, attendees have learned practical strategies to verify information, safeguard personal data and report suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities. The Rising Threat of Crypto ATM Fraud One of the newest and fastest-growing fraud trends that we are seeing at the CSI involves cryptocurrency ATMs, which are machines that convert cash into digital currency such as Bitcoin. While these machines may look harmless in gas stations or convenience stores, these devices are increasingly being used by criminals to pull off various kinds of scams. A recent case shared during a CSI outreach event in Kalispell illustrates the danger. A Bozeman resident received a call from someone pretending to be from Apple, claiming their computer had been hacked. The caller instructed the individual to withdraw $36,000 and deposit it into several cryptocurrency ATMs to ensure that they were not charged with a crime. In reality, the money was sent directly to a scammer’s digital wallet and was unrecoverable within seconds. Community Outreach Across Montana CSI’s outreach efforts span large and small communities alike, from the Flathead Valley to eastern Montana. Presentations held in senior 18 | Directors Digest
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