New Web Site to Report Fraud to the FTC. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a new website where you can report scams and fraud. The FTC says that it streamlined the website and make it more user-friendly. It included a new feature that suggests next steps when you file a report.
The FTC uses this information to charge scammers in
civil suits. It also shares the information with over 3,000 law enforcement
agencies who can make criminal charges. The information is also used to
determine fraud trends and to educate the public about fraud and scams.
To report a scam or fraud go to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
Federal Trade Commission:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/media/video-0212-how-report-fraud-reportfraudftcgov
Rise of Scams on Social Media. The
FTC has revealed that reported scams originating on social media have more than
tripled in the first half of 2020. In that half of the year, people reported
losing more than $117 million to scams on social media as compared to $134
million for all of 2019.
94% of people reporting the scams said that they found
them on Facebook and Instagram.
Scams found on social media included online shopping, romance
scams, economic relief, and income opportunities.
The FTC recommends,
·
Before you buy based on an ad or post,
check out the company. Type its name in a search engine with words like or
“scam” or “complaint.”
·
Never send money to a love interest you
have not met in person.
·
If you get a message from a friend about a
way to get some financial relief, call them. Did they forward it to you? If
not, tell them their account may have been hacked. If so, check it out before
you act.
·
Before paying into an “opportunity” to
earn money, check out www.ftc.gov/mlm.
·
Don’t make it easy for scammers to target
you – check your social media privacy settings to limit what you share
publicly.
If you encounter a scam report it to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/.
FTC:
Have you been the victim of social
engineering? Social engineering is “the use of
deception to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential or personal
information that may be used for fraudulent purposes.”
Social engineering is often talked about in the context
of business espionage or theft, in an attempt to insert malware that can collect
sensitive information about the business, extort money from the business
through ransomware, or outright theft of money by tricking employees to send funds
to the scammer. Social engineering can also be used against consumers by
impersonating a government official to trick the consumer into giving over personal
information or their money.
Social engineering often occurs through emails through
phishing, or phone calls through vishing, or text messages through smishing.
To avoid becoming a victim of social engineering,
·
Learn more about social engineering and its
tactics.
·
Be sure you know who the source of any
message is. If you receive a message that is unusual contact the sender via a
different method. For example, if you receive an email, call the sender. Look
up the phone number from another source such as a web search. Don’t use the
phone number in the email without verifying it first.
·
Be sure your anti-virus software and other
applications are up to date.
Identity Theft Resource Center:
FTC:
https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/scams-your-small-business-guide-business
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2020/12/ransomware-prevention-update-businesses
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