National Crime Prevention Council

Online shopping has transformed the way people shop, offering convenience and variety at our fingertips. However, it also comes with significant risks. Cybercriminals are increasingly using sophisticated scams—like fake websites and fraudulent profiles—to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting shoppers. If you’ve fallen victim to an online shopping scam, take immediate action: 1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to report fraudulent charges and prevent further transactions. 2. Freeze your credit to protect yourself from identity theft. 3. Change compromised passwords for any affected accounts. 4. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission to help authorities track and combat fraud. Protect yourself by shopping only on reputable websites, avoiding suspicious links, and securing your accounts with strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication. By staying vigilant and informed, you can outsmart scammers and keep your personal information safe. Learn more about how to protect yourself while shopping online: https://bit.ly/4g4XGTg

The Urban Youth Racing School in Philadelphia is changing lives by using STEM education and motorsports to prevent crime. 🚗💨   This program helps inner-city students, many of whom come from high-crime areas or have been involved with the criminal justice system, to see a new path forward. When they enter the program, many are unfamiliar with NASCAR or motorsports. By the time they leave, they not only have a new set of skills but often find careers within the industry—transforming their lives in the process.   The school provides much more than technical knowledge about racing. It offers hope, mentorship, and career opportunities that help students build a brighter future, far from the dangers of crime. It’s proof that with the right support, young people can break the cycle and build a successful and fulfilling life.   McGruff the Crime Dog looks forward to playing a bigger role in supporting this amazing initiative. Together, we can help inspire even more young people to Take A Bite out of Crime and race toward a better future.   Let’s continue to support innovative programs like The Urban Youth Racing School that are taking a proactive approach to crime prevention. 🏁🐾 Together, we can guide these young drivers toward success!

Today, parents, victims, organizations, and federal leaders gathered in Washington, D.C., to call on Congress to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) before the end of the year. With overwhelming support—over 90% approval in the Senate earlier this year—KOSA is a critical step toward safeguarding children and teens from online dangers. KOSA addresses the growing threats children face on the internet, including cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, mental health risks, and increasingly, the sale of fake drugs. Advocates like Amy Neville and Sam Chapman, who have experienced the devastating effects of social media harms, are leading the charge to ensure this legislation becomes law. Both Amy and Sam lost their children to a fake pill bought on these platforms. Key Provisions of KOSA Include: Protection from Harmful Content: KOSA requires online platforms to implement stronger safeguards to protect children from exposure to violent, sexually explicit, or otherwise inappropriate content. Preventing Targeted Advertisements: One of the bill’s critical measures is a ban on targeted advertising to minors. Stronger Privacy Protections: KOSA ensures that children’s online privacy is protected by making privacy settings default to the highest levels of security. Reporting and Accountability: The bill requires platforms to set up easy-to-use reporting systems, allowing children, parents, and caregivers to flag issues such as harassment, abuse, or exposure to dangerous content. As children spend increasing amounts of time online, the risks continue to mount. One of the most concerning trends is the rise of fake pills and counterfeit drugs being sold on social media platforms. These dangerous substances are often marketed to vulnerable young people, with tragic consequences. Families and advocates across the country are urging lawmakers to act quickly. As the year comes to a close, they are emphasizing that: Our children’s safety cannot wait. The message from parents like Amy, Sam, and Senator Blackburn, as well as countless others, is loud and clear: KOSA must pass now if we want to protect the next generation.

The holidays are here—and so are online shopping risks. 🎁 Scammers thrive this time of year, but you don’t have to fall victim. Follow these crucial tips to protect your finances and personal information: ✔️ Watch for spelling errors on websites—legitimate sellers don’t make typos. ✔️ Only shop with registered, verified sellers to avoid scams. ✔️ Research the seller and read reviews before making a purchase. ✔️ Use a credit card—it offers better fraud protection than debit cards. ✔️ Be cautious when entering personal information—only share what’s necessary. Let’s make this holiday season about celebrating, not regretting. Shop smart and stay safe! Learn more at ncpc.org/goforreal

In today’s world, it’s not just about following laws—it’s about building safer communities. Texting while driving isn’t just illegal, it’s socially unacceptable. Drive smart, stay focused, and let’s make our roads safer for all.

Major news just coming in from California tonight. A victory in fighting fentanyl and holding social media companies accountable.

Drunk driving continues to claim too many lives. According to @nhtsa 32% of all traffic fatalities involve drunk drivers, and in 2022, 13,524 people died due to alcohol-impaired crashes. Every day, 37 families are devastated by these preventable losses. We all play a role in keeping our roads safe. Don’t drink and drive—protect yourself and others. Let’s come together to make a real impact on road safety.

Ciara Lopez and Paul DelPonte represented NCPC at the 2024 Public Health Symposium on Substandard and Falsified Drugs at Johns Hopkins University in D.C. last month. Ciara Lopez, NCPC’s Program and Partnership Development Specialist, chaired a critical panel on preventing exposure to substandard and falsified (SF) drugs. She emphasized the vital role of public awareness and strategic partnerships in combating counterfeit medications. Paul DelPonte, NCPC Executive Director, shared key insights from the consumer perspective, underscoring the importance of education and advocacy in addressing the risks posed by online drug purchases. The panel also featured other thought leaders including: Oksana Pyzik, UCL School of Pharmacy, on combating misinformation, Libby Baney, Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, on the reasons consumers turn to online purchases, and William Babumba, CHAIN Uganda, on the challenges faced in low-resource settings. Together, the panelists stressed the urgent need for collaboration and consumer education to stop the spread of counterfeit drugs. It’s time to challenge consumers to reconsider the products they purchase. Let’s break the cycle and protect public health.

The Canceling Counterfeits Summit, hosted on October 30 in Washington, D.C., brought together leading experts, law enforcement, and policymakers to tackle the escalating threat of counterfeit goods flooding the market. In this clip, Alaina van Horn, Chief of Intellectual Property Enforcement at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, sheds light on how technology and social media are transforming the marketplace, creating new avenues for 21st-century crime. Key sessions included powerful insights from Michael Alfonso of Homeland Security Investigations and Daniel Burke of the FDA, who discussed the serious dangers posed by counterfeit products. Paul DelPonte, Executive Director of the National Crime Prevention Council, called for a united front, stressing that this summit marks just the beginning of a larger, nationwide movement against counterfeit crime. Now is the time to act—let's protect consumers and eliminate the threat of counterfeits. Join the fight today. Check out our coalition website here: https://bit.ly/3ZlHxmr.

Have a safe and joyful Thanksgiving! 🦃 As you gather with loved ones to celebrate, let’s remember the importance of staying vigilant and supporting our communities. Thank you to those working tirelessly to make the world a safer place. Together, we’re taking a bite out of crime—one paw-step at a time. 🐾