Top Ten Scams – 2024

MEET THE SCAMS

A look at the most reported frauds:

• Prizes/Sweepstakes/Free Gifts
  • Requests for payment to claim fictitious prizes, lottery winnings, or gifts.
• Phishing/Spoofing
  • Emails pretending to be from a well-known source ask consumers to enter or confirm personal information.
• Internet: General Merchandise
  • Goods purchased are either never delivered or misrepresented
• Investment (incl. cryptocurrency)
  • Consumers are tricked into paying money for bogus crypto-currency investments.
• Fake Check Scams
  • Consumers are asked to cash fraudulent checks and then send the proceed to a scammer before the check clears.
• Advance Fee Loans, Credit Arrangers
  • False promises of business or personal loans, even if credit is bad, for a fee upfront.
• Friendship & Sweetheart Swindles
  • Con artist nurtures an online relationship, builds trust, and convinces victims to send money.
• Family/Friend Imposters
  • A scammer calls or emails, claiming that a friend or family member is in distress (in jail, in the hospital, etc.) and urgently needs funds to help.
• Internet: Information/Adult Services
  • Victims are extorted with threats to circulate explicit images or charge for access to fraudulent “psychic” services.
• Misc. Other
  • Fraud reports that do not t into other categories.