RELEASE: Gov. Little Launches Effort to Fight Financial Fraud

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2026

Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, U.S. Attorney John Shirts, and Idaho Department of Finance Director Salvador Cruz will lead the Governor’s Financial Fraud Working Group

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today he directed Idaho Department of Finance Director Salvador Cruz to convene a statewide financial fraud working group on Nov. 17 to assess ways to strengthen Idaho’s response to financial crime as reported fraud losses continue to rise.

Lt. Governor Scott Bedke, newly appointed U.S. Attorney John Shirts, and Director Cruz will lead the Governor’s Financial Fraud Working Group, which will include members of law enforcement, prosecutors, banks and credit unions, senior advocates, state agencies, and legislators to evaluate whether Idaho should adopt a more coordinated approach to financial fraud, including a statewide system for collecting fraud reports and a coordinated model for investigating and prosecuting cases.

“Financial fraud is a growing threat to Idaho families, and we need to make sure our systems are equipped to respond. We want to identify gaps in our current approach and determine what practical steps Idaho can take to better protect our citizens, and especially older Idahoans,” Governor Little said.

Idahoans reported $88.7 million in fraud losses to the FBI in 2025, a 75-percent increase from 2023. Losses reported by Idahoans aged 60 and older more than doubled from 2024 to 2025, reaching $37.4 million. Older Idahoans accounted for 42 percent of reported fraud losses statewide last year.

Idaho has no central repository for fraud reports and no statewide unit dedicated to investigating financial crime. Victims may report fraud to the FBI, local law enforcement, financial institutions, Adult Protective Services, or other organizations. Investigations and prosecutions are generally handled by local law enforcement and county prosecutors, while some cases are pursued by federal agencies.

The working group will examine how Idaho could improve coordination among these organizations, identify opportunities to use existing state authorities, and determine whether additional legislation or resources are needed.

The working group’s findings will be provided to the Governor ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The assessment will outline options for statewide fraud reporting, potential models for coordinated investigation and prosecution, and any changes in law or resources that may be necessary.

About Brad Little

Brad Little is the 33rd Governor of Idaho.

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