The Nebraska Credit Union League (League) has joined the Fraud Free Nebraska Coalition comprised of the AARP, the Nebraska Bankers Association (NBA), the Independent Community Bankers Association (NICB), and state law enforcement agencies. The Coalition is committed to protecting Nebraska financial institutions and the consumers they serve by combating financial fraud through public policy initiatives, coordinated and enhanced consumer education, and new law enforcement tools. “Fighting financial fraud is a top priority of Nebraska’s credit unions as they endeavor to protect their members from these financial fraudsters that are using a myriad of techniques to defraud Nebraskans,” said Brandon Luetkenhaus, President/CEO of the League.
According to the Better Business Bureau and 10/11 NOW, Nebraska scam reports have jumped 82% in 2025. The 2024 FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center Report revealed that 3,145 fraud incidents were reported in Nebraska with $69.8 million in losses from these crimes. Seniors over the age of 60 are the most targeted victims, followed closely by those 40-49. High loss schemes include business email compromise, romance scams, investment fraud, employment scams, and tech support scams.
The Coalition is sponsoring four legislative bills introduced in the Nebraska Legislature.
- LB 785 outlaws the use or possession of a mail receptacle key or lock by an unauthorized person to provide law enforcement and prosecutors better tools to crack down on check theft.
- LB 838 amends existing elder and vulnerable abuse statutes to allow financial institutions to designate an “authorized contact” in the event of an emergency, a loss of contact with the customer, or suspected financial exploitation.
- LB 1082 amends the Nebraska Telecommunications Act to establish a duty for telecommunications providers to protect their customers from receiving unwanted calls or text messages from unauthenticated numbers and the use of inaccurate caller identification information to prevent spoofing.
- LB 1118 amends the Nebraska Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act to require social media platforms that accept paid advertising to establish programs to verify identity of their customers, and a process for detecting, investigating, and removing fraudulent advertising.
