Officials of the United States Federal Trade Commission ?FTC, for its acronym in English? They recommended that the population remain alert to the most frequent types of fraud and scams in the US, which up to now have caused millions in losses.
According to the FTC's annual data report, people lost more than 8.8 billion dollars due to various types of scams, which indicates an increase of 2.6 million compared to 2021, however, despite this increase, case reports have decreased.
"We saw a decrease in the number of complaints received compared to 2021, in 2022 we received 2.2 million fraud complaints, compared to 2.9 million in 2021," said María Mayo, acting associate director of the Response and Operations Division. FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, at a press conference hosted by Ethnic Media Services in which experts met to expose the most frequent scams of 2022.
In addition, according to the FTC, the most reported scams were those that occurred through social networks, but those that implied the greatest economic loss were those carried out by telephone with an average of 1,400 dollars per person.
Among the frauds most reported by the population are impostors, online purchases, prizes, raffles or lotteries, investments, and business or employment opportunities.
Likewise, the report pointed out that young adults, from 20 to 29 years old, were the population that suffered the most scams, however older adults ?although they suffered less frequently? They were the ones who lost the most money.
Mayo pointed out that one of the biggest frauds has been through business proposals with cryptocurrencies and warned that scammers create web pages or false information in which it seems that those who invest are really winning, he also pointed out that another of the biggest frauds has been that of "imposters" where people pretend to be someone and even have a romantic interest, to obtain money or personal information.
"We know that there are many people trying to be others to scam," he said.
On her occasion, Rosario Méndez, lawyer from the Consumer and Business Education Division of the FTC's Office of Consumer Protection, pointed out that it is necessary to speak out and warn about fraud in order to prevent the population and prepare them in case of be affected.
“I think it's important – especially if you see someone talking to someone else – to ask people how are you going to give money to someone you just met? We must ask those questions to make people realize that it is a fraud, “he recommended.
Likewise, Méndez stressed the need to carry out in-depth analysis of the complaints in order to determine trends in fraud in order to better inform and prevent all communities.
Finally, Cristina Miranda, Consumer Education Specialist at the Division of Consumer Education and Business Office of Consumer Protection of the FTC, pointed out the importance of having information in all possible languages so that the majority of people are informed and prevented.
He also noted that the FTC has made the website available to the public. www.ftc.gov/languages, in which users can find information to prevent scams and fraud, as well as the steps to follow in case of being a victim of one.
Those who have been victims of fraud or scam can report it through the sites www.reportfraud.ftc.gov and www..reportfraude.ftc.gov
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