From the desk of Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Powers

Dear neighbors,

I hope you are enjoying the holiday season! This final month of the year is full of so much hustle and bustle, as so many of us spend time with family and friends. In many ways, it’s one of my favorite months of the year.

It’s also a month where I worry the most.

About what?

Scams and fraud.

Unfortunately, scammers and thieves thrive during this time of year. They work hard to take advantage of people distracted by the holiday cheer. They seize on opportunities to defraud people, lying in wait for moments where they can make a big profit.

This holiday season, I urge you to be extra careful.

Here are some tips to stay safe:



• Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls from unknown sources.
• Use a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online. Credit cards offer better fraud protection.
• Check your bank and credit card statements regularly.
• Report any unfamiliar charges.
• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, especially on social media or unfamiliar websites.
• Don’t click on links in emails or texts from unknown sources.
• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication when possible.
• Be suspicious of charities that pressure you to donate immediately or refuse to provide detailed information about their organization.
• Verify the security of any website before entering your personal information or credit card details.

Feel free to pass this along to family and friends! Have a great holiday season and a wonderful new year!

Always fighting for you,

Melissa Powers 

Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney