State Launches FraudSafe Fraud Prevention Program
The Oklahoma Department of Securities is offering free monthly lessons to help residents recognize and avoid fraud.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Financial Planning
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The Oklahoma Department of Securities will launch FraudSafe on Nov. 10, a fraud prevention education program created by former Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office officer Tara Hardin. The program will cover a different fraud topic each month.
Why it matters
Impersonation of banks and law enforcement officials is increasing in Oklahoma, and people age 60 and older lost about $151 million to fraud in 2025. The program aims to teach residents how to avoid being taken advantage of through education.
Oklahomans age 60 and older lost about $151 million to fraud in 2025, while national reported fraud losses totaled roughly $18 billion. The FTC estimates total losses reach the hundreds of billions when unreported cases are included.
The players
Oklahoma Department of Securities
The state agency responsible for regulating securities and investor protection in Oklahoma, which launched the FraudSafe program.
Tara Hardin
A former Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office officer who retired to create the FraudSafe program.
The details
Each free, one-hour lesson will be held every second Tuesday at 10 a.m. and can be attended online or in person. The program also plans to produce two podcasts per month featuring fraud prevention experts or victims.
Timeline
Nov. 10: FraudSafe program officially launches.
Every second Tuesday at 10 a.m.: Free one-hour monthly fraud lesson held.
Market Dynamics
The FTC has reported national fraud losses in the billions of dollars, and its estimates of total losses reach the hundreds of billions when unreported cases are counted. Oklahoma's FraudSafe program responds to that gap by focusing on prevention education at the state level.
Residents can attend the free one-hour lessons online or in person to learn how to spot impersonation scams involving banks or law enforcement. Learning these warning signs before contact can help protect savings from being taken.
The takeaway
Scammers often pose as banks or police officers to pressure victims into acting quickly. Pausing to verify any unexpected request through a known phone number can help prevent losses.
What happens next
The FraudSafe program's first lesson is scheduled for Nov. 10, with lessons continuing every second Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Further reading
For more on protecting savings, see Financial Planning coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KFOR 4 Oklahoma City.
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