Just Say No to Scams: Protecting consumers and communities from fraud (In-Person, Chicago, IL)

As part of Consumer Action’s decades-long work educating consumers to better recognize and avoid fraud, we are offering, in Chicago, our “Just Say No to Scams” training. This free event will provide community educators, counselors, and other community-based direct service providers an opportunity to gather knowledge and resources to help protect their communities against ever-evolving scams and fraud.

The training will include:
• An introduction to the latest edition of Consumer Action’s “Just Say No to Scams” educational module, a free resource that includes a multilingual consumer guide and tip sheet along with tools for conducting community education;
• A session on preventing and recovering from identity theft, which often results from consumer fraud;
• A presentation by Dr. Jennifer Lawrence, DSW, LICSW of FightCybercrime.org, focused on how community advocates can speak with consumers affected by severe cybercrime—such as romance or crypto fraud—while better understanding the shame, isolation and stigma experienced by fraud victims, and how to recognize, respond to and direct consumers who are currently being scammed or recovering from a scam;
• Resources for staying informed about emerging scams; and
• Details on how nonprofit attendees will be able to apply for one of four small community education stipends.

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Event check-in: 9:30 a.m.
Program: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (refreshments and lunch provided)
Location: Loyola University Museum of Art, 820 N Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60611 (Room: Simpson 304)