Boise, Idaho… The Idaho Department of Finance (IDOF) urges the public to be aware of a recently reported scam targeting small business owners. Scammers impersonating various law enforcement agencies are contacting business owners claiming they are being investigated for fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, regardless of whether or not they have been repaid or forgiven.

The Idaho Department of Finance is warning jobseekers to be aware of the red flags of employment scams in light of a recent consumer complaint the Department received, and the continued prevalence of these scams nationwide. In the first quarter of 2022, U.S. consumers were scammed out of $68 million as a result of fake business and job opportunity…

Idaho Department of Finance Director, Patti Perkins and Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction, Debbie Critchfield have declared April Financial Literacy Month in Idaho. Financial Literacy Month serves as a platform to highlight the significance of understanding the primary pillars of personal finance, such as budgeting and saving, homebuying, managing debt, making informed investment decisions, and protecting hard-earned assets through scam awareness.

The Idaho Department of Finance (the “Department”) joined twenty-four other state financial regulatory agencies in taking collective action against Plutus Financial, Inc., Abra Trading, LLC, Plutus Financial Holdings, Inc., Plutus Lending, LLC (collectively known as “Abra”), and CEO and largest equity owner William “Bill” Barhydt for operating a cryptocurrency company without receiving the required state licensing.