National Cyber Security Awareness Month occurs every October as a national campaign designed to increase the public's awareness of cyber security and cyber crime issues. The campaign features a number of initiatives including public relations activities, educational programs and events that target Home Users, Small Businesses, Education audiences (K-12 and higher education), and Child Safety online.

The campaign is organized by the National Cyber Security Alliance, a consortium of public and private sectors sponsors who share a concern about protecting the public from Internet threats.

ABA and the U.S. Postal Service also raise public awareness at protecting consumers from financial fraud schemes, including fake checks and postal money orders, as well as lottery and Internet auction fraud through the Consumer Fraud Awareness Campaign.  ABA encourages banks to participate in the campaign by downloading posters, brochures and other materials – available below – to use in lobbies and customer communications.

• U.S. Postal Service's Fakechecks.org (En Español)
• Federal Trade Commission's Identity Theft Site
• National Consumers League Fraud Information Center
• National Cyber Security Alliance
• Federal Trade Commission's "Phishy" Videos

Downloads from

Events

The Alliance for Consumer Fraud Awareness sponsored a campaign to reduce the number of fraud victims by raising consumers' awareness. The campaign was launched on October 1 with press conferences in Washington, D.C., and New York City.

The alliance has created a variety of tool to educate consumers including television commercials, print ads, and web banner ads. Additionally, there is a campaign website (www.fakechecks.org) where bankers, bank employees and consumers can obtain additional information regarding the various fraud schemes.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the campaign, please feel free to contact Postal Inspector Phil Bartlett at 212-330-3351. View ABA's message on Consumer Awareness.