The Federal Trade Commission released a statistical survey of fraud in the United States during 2011, which showed that an estimated 25.6 million adults – 10.8 percent of the adult population – were fraud victims.
“The FTC fights fraud every day by taking scam artists to court and telling consumers how to avoid being scammed. Studies like this one help us fine-tune both our enforcement and education efforts,” said Charles Harwood, Acting Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.
While online buying has boomed for consumers, the survey indicates that, as of 2011, the Internet was also the place where consumers most often learned about fraudulent offers. The Internet category, which included email, social media, auction sites and classified ads, was followed by print advertising, and TV and radio. Most consumers bought fraudulent items via the Internet; telephone purchases ranked second.
Scamers are on the rise and the only way that they can be stopped is by reporting to the appropriate authorities.
· You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and it will be entered into a database sent to local law enforcement agencies.
· You should also report the scam to your states attorney office
· Scam messages that occur on social networking sites need to be reported to the site administrator by reporting that you account is compromised.
· If you have been compromised on Facebook, there is a security page that you can access to receive information about security updates
· You want to make sure that malicious software applications have not been added to your settings
· The government provides an internet crime complaint center if you are a victim of a crime or even someone you know who is going through a problem such as telephone scams.
· You can also contact the online better business bureau for further information about the company and filing a complaint. You may find other consumer information concerning this business.
· Pay attention to fraud alerts on your credit report as well
