Consumer Alert
Think you know what the top scam of 2023 was? Take a guess
Every day people report to the FTC the scams they spot. Every year, the FTC shares the information we collect in a data book which tells a story about the top scams people tell us about – so we can all spot and avoid them.
The Data Book tells us that people lost $10 billion to scams in 2023. That’s $1 billion more than 2022 and the highest ever in reported losses to the FTC – even though the number of reports (2.6 million) was about the same as last year. One in four people reported losing money to scams, with a median loss of $500 per person. And email was the #1 contact method for scammers this year, especially when scammers pretended to be a business or government agency to steal money.
Here are other takeaways for 2023:
- Imposter scams. Imposter scams remained the top fraud category, with reported losses of $2.7 billion. These scams include people pretending to be your bank’s fraud department, the government, a relative in distress, a well-known business, or a technical support expert.
- Investment scams. While investment-related scams were the fourth most-reported fraud category, losses in this category grew. People reported median losses of $7.7K – up from $5K in 2022.
- Social media scams. Scams starting on social media accounted for the highest total losses at $1.4 billion – an increase of 250 million from 2022. But scams that started by a phone call caused the highest per-person loss ($1,480 average loss).
- Payment methods. How did scammers prefer that people pay? With bank transfers and payments, which accounted for the highest losses ($1.86 billion). Cryptocurrency is a close second ($1.41 billion reported in losses).
- Losses by age. Of people who reported their age, younger adults (20-29) reported losing money more often than older adults (70+). However, when older adults lost money, they lost the most.
Check out the graphic for the top scams of 2023. Read the 2023 Data Book for more details and to learn what happened in your state.
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Want to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your communities from scams? Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov to report fraud. Reports like yours help law enforcement take action with education and enforcement. By reporting what you see and experience, you can help protect your community.
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Thank you for sharing information that I was not aware of. When people take pleasure in being deceitful! You can no longer trust in laws (especially) or your own family. The more J know the more I am aware of protecting myself and helping others as well!!
I think Congress should pass a bill to penalize the scammers.
In reply to I think Congress should pass… by Hi Nguyen
Thoroughly agree with Nguyen- scammers should be punished/penalized for their crimes. If Congress is required to do so, then Congress should pass the necessary laws to make this happen.
Peter
In reply to Thoroughly agree with Nguyen… by Peter
You’re right
In reply to You’re right by James
I think you guys are doing is awesome
In reply to I think Congress should pass… by Hi Nguyen
I think there are laws but the problem is finding out who and where they are.
In reply to I think there are laws but… by Wren
If they would hold some of the social media platfroms accountable for thier lack of care about any of these issues it would help a lot. Hackers are allowed to use accounts to scam people freely.
In reply to If they would hold some of… by blcs716
I agree!
In reply to I think Congress should pass… by Hi Nguyen
Yes definitely they should put them in jail longer than other crimes because it affects you mentally and socially more than a in person crime . This is because you do not know in reality who did the scam. The scammers are working with the person in the scam to rob you. Is gang stalking.
In reply to Yes definitely they should… by Mabel Llosa
Yes gang stocking.. They pretend to be a celebrity that has fallen in love with you through your profile on face book.. Mine was Jon bon jovi.. He used the names of Jon children who Contacted me and called me their lovely mom.. ,hey pleaded me to continue helping their dad.. I was packed up moving to Florida seven times.. They sent me pictures of reasons why I wasnt coming.. ; would give up but another one would Con act me saying he was the real Jon bon joví, I'm lonely and gullible.. Very vulnerable! 3 years of vying apple gift cards to the sum of thousands of dollars.. I am very glad to find you to explain to me how their scam works. I feel so stupid now.. I have thrown everything I own away thinking I was moving to Florida to be with the man I love.. I had doubts.. But then would think what if I am wrong?? And throw away something good. This last one opened an account through top leverage ultimate. Showing that I had 3 million dollars. To prove who he is.. All the while his drummer acted shocked at his friend and boss.. I'm such a fool! I had a nervous break down last week .. Ended up in the mental hospital.. I feel that I have g9ne crazy!!! I believe I have and I need help.. The theropyst didnt really help a bit.. I am now suicidal in all honesty..3 years of let downs. Yes you are absolutely right. These people are ruthless!! They do not care about you one bit.. They are in a buissiness of taking every dime you have.. Once your hooked there is no going back.. It is an addiction.. I am addicted to the effection they express to me because I am staving for effection.. And they know it somehow.. I was willing to leave my husband for these people of 18 years.. Wow!!! They are very good at what they do. And I have all their identity I have saved.. Wish they could land in jail where they belong!!!! Thanks for listening to me... Be careful out there .. They are lurking in every social media there is.. If they take you to what's up.. Google chat.. Or transgram.. Dont go with them...
In reply to Yes gang stocking.. They… by Anna Johnson
Mrs Johnson, I read your comment on FTC and my heart is breaking for you! You ARE NOT STUPID!! People who do this are destroying our trust and faith in mankind!! There is a special place for these people but "We the People" need to support each other!! BTW I think my dad is being scammed in the same way!!! Only he won't listen to me or anyone else!!! He is in his 80s and I am so scared for him! I don't know what to do and I just so happened to find this site @3 am 3.30.24. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! With all Respect I pray that you overcome this horrendous act quickly!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!
In reply to Yes definitely they should… by Mabel Llosa
I totally agree. Today I spent 2 1/2 hrs on the phone with someone who said they were wit the FTC telling me that my phones and computer had been hacked and that I needed to transfer all my credit card balances to prepaid cards.
In reply to I totally agree. Today I… by Vivian
The FTC will never tell you to transfer money, make threats, or promise you a prize.
Your money is fine where it is, no matter what they say or how urgently they say it. Moving it means you’ll lose it, not protect it. Someone who says you have to move your money to protect it is a scammer.
If you’re worried, call your real bank or credit card company. Use the number you find on your statement — never the number the caller gave you, which will take you to the scammer.
If you get a call like this, tell your bank or credit card company right away. Especially if you moved money or shared a verification code. Then tell the FTC at www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
In reply to I think Congress should pass… by Hi Nguyen
Can’t penalize foreign nationals who reside in foreign countries unfortunately
In reply to Can’t penalize foreign… by PK
Yep! I got scammed out of $2500 for a cat. I spoke to the scammer so long he eventually gave himself up telling me they are all out of Africa, told me some of how they did it. I have a ton of information but no law enforcement agency cares enough to look at it. It’s happening everyday with expensive cats so imagine the millions in just that!!
In reply to Yep! I got scammed out of … by KT
I know how you feel.. I have the emails and conversations I screen shot everything but dont know how or what to do with the info.. I have discovered that if you collect their area code you will see where they are located.. Not from where they say.. Wish I had know this before.. Thanks for sharing.. They got me for thousands!!!
In reply to I think Congress should pass… by Hi Nguyen
what a great idea. Robocalling already is illegal but doesnt seem to stop them. MOST coming from Jamacia. Only reason I know that is b.c I did the no no of calling back and it was on my phone bill
Thank you for the information!
I’m surprised that text messages wasn’t listed as a means of fraud or attempted fraud. I get phishing texts the most, followed by phone calls. Lately, I’ve received a few emails with a PDF attachment that is an alleged invoice. I don’t open it. It’s very interesting to watch the scammers attempts to get information or money from me. I’m already a victim of identity theft due to some major data breaches in 2021 to current, so I’m especially careful.
In reply to I’m surprised that text… by MN
Absolutely agree with MN. The phone calls start at 8:30 AM with so-called Medicare plans, or now it's Credit help! 99% of the time I don't answer. It doesn't stop there text comes in with "Hello how are you?" From some unknown number. I print them out in the event that someday I can help catch these creeps.
In reply to Absolutely agree with MN… by Bette Burton James
Bette if you receive the calls on your mobile phone you can block them. If you have an iphone, after the call ends, go to RECENTS, click on the i (information) button, scroll down to the end of the info and click on Block this Caller Forewarning though, they just have another number they can use :-\ Any number you don't recognize, don't answer . . . if it's legit, there should be a message, no message it's not legit. Unfortunately this doesn't stop the robocalls - I've blocked over 1,000 on my iphone in the last year. Good luck!
I've been gettng over 50 "lewd and suggestive" emails every day. I have blocked these and as of this morning there were over 199. Can this list be sent directly? They are insulting, and I would rather forward this to you, if possible.
Enid Hurwitz
In reply to I've been gettng over 50 … by Enid Hurwitz
call the opt out # for robocalls.... google it, it's everywhere... there must be an opt out for spam emails also. ask FTC and FCC and any other agency to report. This may stop it completely...if you're serious. sounds awful. good luck!
Thank you. Very important info!
So, My comment is simple---why isn't there more done to stop this? You have the most sophisticated people people working within the US---there should be a cure for this--shame on America for not having the answer!!!
In reply to So, My comment is simple--… by Deborah K Grimm
if this govt wold only pay folks like Snowden more than they've already made, have him and those like him work for the gov, we'd be In much better shape.
In reply to So, My comment is simple--… by Deborah K Grimm
All the 3 letter alphabet government agencies have the solutions to the problems because they ARE THE PROBLEMS..... they could easily stop it if they wanted to, but they are the ones orchestrating it.... smoke and mirrors... the one thing this Country is good at is deceiving its own people ...... it is an absolute circus and we look like clowns to every other country in the world right now. As someone that use to work with 90%+ foreigners I can tell you 1st hand, I have 2nd hand embarrassment for our entire government and about 50% of our citizens..... and that's based off what people have been saying FOR YEARS from countries THAT ARE OUR ALLIES, SMH .... The FTC, FBI, OIG, DOJ, HSO, CIA, FCC, ICE, BCU, AGO, FWS, CPO, etc. need to get their act together and start actually protecting THE RIGHTS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS
I have brighten a few items on line and got scared. It is hard to tell the difference between a legit company and a phoney one.
My 90 year old trusting and naive Mom has been sending 50 + small checks a month to various 'non-profits' associated with USA Cash Draw and other socalled million dollar sweepstakes. The operation is associated with many unfamiliar 'non-profits', giving her the idea that she is helping folks while assuring she will win at least one of the 20,000 prizes. She does not read the fine print, which has a deadline for a specific draw. However, she is already in the habit of sending 'gifts'. Examples are Citizens behind the badge, advancing American freedom, Fund for integrative Cancer treatment and some familiar ones like Am Against Drug abuse.
A second issue is all the political solicitations (she gets six to 12 inch stacks of mail per day. Some scare tactics of Lawyers requesting money - "they have put her on an important congressional committee" that leads her to believe without her money the political job wont get done. I think This is abusive of her and misuse/disrespectful of free speech. Nevertheless, being a generious person and wanting to help, all the solicitation become a burden and upsetting to this senior. Help!
Thank you
Patricia Sargent
In reply to My 90 year old trusting and… by Patricia Sargent
Have your Mom's name and address removed from the junk mail lists. There are several ways.
Go to DMAchoice.org and choose what you want to stop. There is also a email choice. To opt out of financial and insurance offers go online too; optoutprescreen.com.
You can also check the USPS website for ways to stop the junk mail from getting delivered to her.
thanks for the great work you do....I am seeing lots of iCloud scammers trying to get me to reply to emails saying I have won a prize from big name companies like CVS, Lowes, etc .,,, I delete but would like to start reporting these....I am trying but can't figure out an easy way to report these scammers.
In reply to thanks for the great work… by Bess H Parks
Most big companies have email addresses you can forward scam emails to. You can open the companies' legit webpage & search for scam addresses or customer service. Always good to report to FTC as well.
I would add aggressive sales practices from car dealers to the list, the CARS act does not go far enough to protect consumers.
Publishers clearing house scammers keep calling my home. I cuss them out,hang up on them,etc. and it doesn't stop them from calling.
Thought ID theft has highest losses. ?
Why don't we have a govenment service to locate, arrest and shut them down.
Thank you for this information. We seniors are particularly vulnerable to scammers, and this helps us a lot.
I just contacted the FTC because I got a scam e-mail telling me my Social Security Number was used for Drug Trafficking in Texas and New Mexico! I don't even live anywhere these states! FYI... NEVER click on or open these scam e-mails!
I hope law enforcement is treating this like the huge crime wave it is. It is more than an inconvenience or annoyance. I hear stories of people loosing their life savings.
In reply to I hope law enforcement is… by Nancy Sheran
I agree, it should be considered a form of terrorism tbh. It's attacking US citizens and instilling fear and threatening, isn't that supposed to be terrorism? Whoever is the kingpin of these things should be sent to Guantanamo. It's costing tax payer dollars, counted a ton of the victims are on public assistance. So if our legislation doesn't think this is an attack on us from foreign soil and domestic. They are not thinking or looking at this bigger picture. Our economy is suffering because of scammers on this global scale and something definitely needs to be done. Educate citizens, if you're on public assistance maybe there should be restrictions on the monetary usage? Someone needs to come up with a logical bill for us to vote on. This is getting extreme especially with the ones SWATTING grandma. THAT IS USING OUR OWN DEFENSES TO INSTILL TERROR ON CITIZENS! So yes, I agree with you.
I report most of the email scams, but it takes time. It would be much easier if your program would allow us to forward these without going through the reporting portal. It is a constant battle. I have a call screen on my phone so never answer something I don't recognize, but I have seen texts that I have to block as I know they are scams. There really needs to be a crack down task force working on this. Lots of them are from out of the country.
Emails for payments to Geek Squad, Renewal charges for anti-virus programs like McAfee & Norton, I've dumped & blocked hundreds of them.
It is basically impossible to block the spam emails. Yes, they can be reported to the FTC but only individually, and the form is time consuming. EVERY spam email will have a different phony “From” email, even if there are multiple ones that appear to be from the same sender with same subject matter. There is absolutely no way to stop them. All advice says to just delete them - don’t open or reply. I was getting over 1000 spam emails daily, but interestingly that dropped to about 100-150 daily when I got a new phone. I check and group delete several times a day. Text messages (phone numbers) can at least be blocked. I also refuse cookies or modify them to “strictly necessary”; turning off all marketing and promotional settings. I agree that more aggressive measures are needed.
I have been getting emails from different vendors like Norton security thanking me for the purchase of their service on the day and time of the transaction mostly everyday with different names on them with a phone number for me to call them if I have any questions of the transaction. I just delete them and I have not reported them yet but I will now. Another thing that I have experienced is mostly all the people who walk in front of my door to try to sell some product or service without any proof of the company they represent are fraud and try to get my name and phone number for them to call me later but I do not give it to them. I do not trust no one at all. I get phone calls wanting to know if I have any Master Card and ask me to give them my name and date of birth to make sure it is me and I just hang up on them. I hope this helps somebody and make sure to put a Fraud Alert on your credit report with any of the 3 Credit Bureaus Like Experian.
Consumer education has no chance against fear and greed so ignorance and naivete will continue. Perhaps if the telco's had strong protection against SIM swaps and banks provided more than the weakest forms of 2FA we might have a fighting chance before the data brokers sell our PII to anyone with a credit card.
Please include Scam GAMES claiming PayPal or Cash App payouts.
I've followed the game rules and watched HUNDREDS of ads, and as soon as I reached enough to get paid, the site stalls never to reopen, or they want you to do tasks, like spin the wheel 100 times and the error page pops up saying come back tomorrow day after day... granted all that is lost is time, but time is money!
Someone called me today at 5:28 PM, on February 14th, from: caller ID; YELLOWST, 1-307-227-9080, and ask if this was Stephen? They said "Stephen, is this Stephen", I replied "yes this is Stephen". They said then "have a good rest of your day" and abruptly hung up. I searched the number on the internet to try to find out who it was, could not find anything out without paying a fee. So I called them back within about three minutes, it rang a few times then went to a busy signal, I tried twice later that same evening, and got the same answer.
I am wondering what kind of scam this is.
In reply to Someone called me today at 5… by Stephen
I'm not from the FTC but I do work in fraud for a financial institution. This is a common Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scam. They get you to say "yes" and/or say your name. They use your voice and engineer it to use your personal information to either open accounts or hack into your accounts. Through AI it is easy to mimic your voice using just a sample. I suggest putting a fraud alert on your credit report in case they try opening up an account for you and alerting your bank, as well as keeping an eye on your accounts (credit cards, investment, retirement...).
How can I know this site isn't a scam?
In reply to How can I know this site isn… by Baba Ganoush
Sorry Baba, you cant. You really cant. Even the govt is not trustworthy. Especially the govt is in on it. Well mabey not this site so much because there isnt really much to scam out of the users. They dont sell anything and dont offer any real services. Nope, sorry...