Ian Leaf is the owner and founder of Ian Leaf Fraud Watcher, a consortium of consumer advocates and advocacy groups that includes Ian Andrews, fraudster identification specialist based in the United Kingdom, as well as many other similarly skilled professionals and professional organizations with extensive experience in effectively addressing fraud through prevention. Through the use of Ian Leaf tax fraud avoidance strategies, consumers who might otherwise be exposed to the deleterious effects caused by the fraudsters and scammers are instead able to take preventive action with relative ease.
As a longtime consumer advocate with offices in Switzerland and the United States, Ian Leaf has consistently remained well ahead of the curve and has therefore been able to develop and implement effective avoidance strategies before a fraudster is able to take advantage of a consumer. According to Ian Leaf, tax time often represents peak activity for fraudsters and scammers, which is why he has created this consortium specifically dedicated to tax fraud prevention. Assisted by Ian Andrews, funding for this consortium has resulted in the prevention of some of the most sophisticated scams designed for tax season, but both Leaf and Andrews have also endeavored to ensure consumers are similarly protected throughout the other parts of the year as well.
With extensive experience in fraud prevention stemming from his work with Ian Leaf Fraudster Prevention as well as the consortium known as Ian Leaf Fraud Watcher, Leaf’s expertise has often been credited with saving consumers incalculable dollar amounts that could have been easily targeted by fraudulent schemes executed by scammers. Ian Leaf, HFC and tax fraud expert, has expressed a desire to remain continually dedicated to fraud prevention and resolution through consumer advocacy, which should come as good news to consumers. Of course, the news will hardly be received as favorably by fraudsters and scammers, something which surely serves as additional motivation for both Leaf and Andrews.
What was your best/favorite subject in school?
Economics was always a strong suit, and I certainly excelled in math and accounting too.
What was your first job?
My first job was actually in consumer advocacy, which was quite fortunate since I knew immediately that this was the field in which I wanted to pursue a career.
Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
I got my start in consumer advocacy and wanted to do something more, which is why I founded Ian Leaf, The Fraud Watcher.
How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
Every experience is valuable in one way or another, and my profession requires consistent attention and adaptation given the sheer number of fraudsters developing new strategies for taking advantage of vulnerable consumers.
Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
A good day of work for me includes the development or implementation of a new fraud prevention strategy. It’s also a good day of work when I’m traveling, and I’m quite lucky that my profession has allowed me to travel to places like Ireland and New Zealand.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
I feel that consumers are relying on me to ensure they do not fall victim to scammers and fraudsters, so that knowledge serves as my primary source of motivation.
What kind of business ideas excite you most?
I’m excited by business ideas that are primarily motivated by a desire to provide help or guidance to those most in need.
Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
Yes, I’ve tried quite a few over the years. It’s important that consumers are aware of the available preventive strategies before being affected by fraud.
What personal achievement are you most proud of?
I’m proud of creating several businesses that have sincerely benefited consumers while also harming scammers and fraudsters.
What wisdom you would have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
I would have liked to have been more aware of the rapidly increasing sophistication of the methods used by scammers and fraudsters when I first started out, but I quickly realized how much work was needed to address the issue.