{"id":3099,"date":"2024-02-05T21:41:04","date_gmt":"2024-02-05T21:41:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/?page_id=3099"},"modified":"2024-02-08T23:08:55","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T23:08:55","slug":"top-ten-scams-2023","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/top-ten-scams-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Ten Scams \u2013 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-kfff1mue-6e304adf73ccd254322935ac732d4cf6\">\n.avia-section.av-kfff1mue-6e304adf73ccd254322935ac732d4cf6{\nbackground-repeat:no-repeat;\nbackground-image:url(https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Image.jpg);\nbackground-position:center center;\nbackground-attachment:scroll;\n}\n.avia-section.av-kfff1mue-6e304adf73ccd254322935ac732d4cf6 .av-section-color-overlay{\nopacity:0.5;\nbackground-color:#000000;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section av-kfff1mue-6e304adf73ccd254322935ac732d4cf6 main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-first  avia-full-stretch avia-bg-style-scroll av-section-color-overlay-active  av-minimum-height av-minimum-height-50  container_wrap sidebar_right'  data-section-bg-repeat='stretch' data-av_minimum_height_pc='50'><div class='av-section-color-overlay-wrap'><div class=\"av-section-color-overlay\"><\/div><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3099'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-kkms4o35-35f06b33e50f459d8f8c6021136295ab\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-kkms4o35-35f06b33e50f459d8f8c6021136295ab{\npadding-bottom:10px;\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-kkms4o35-35f06b33e50f459d8f8c6021136295ab .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-kkms4o35-35f06b33e50f459d8f8c6021136295ab av-special-heading-h1 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-1  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  '><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Top Ten Scams \u2013 2023<\/h1><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border'><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_1'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-3099'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-a0g8g-765ed2801479878ee9311424fc0d1109\">\n#top .flex_column.av-a0g8g-765ed2801479878ee9311424fc0d1109{\nborder-radius:0px;\n-webkit-border-radius:0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px;\npadding:0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-a0g8g-765ed2801479878ee9311424fc0d1109 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '   ><p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-7drvt-9ebba5006c7cd6266c88477a445e2350\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-7drvt-9ebba5006c7cd6266c88477a445e2350{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-7drvt-9ebba5006c7cd6266c88477a445e2350 av-special-heading-h3 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-3  el_before_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-first  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Top Ten Scams<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border'><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Each year, the National Consumers League analyzes the thousands of complaints received at Fraud.org from consumers and releases it to the public, in order to track trends in scams and to use as an educational tool for fraud prevention.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Scams-of-2023_Feb-2-2024.pdf\">Read a PDF version of the report.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-kfm9s86r-f210089845ecd8f99e22c74ffc11bf32\">\n.hr.av-kfm9s86r-f210089845ecd8f99e22c74ffc11bf32{\nmargin-top:20px;\nmargin-bottom:10px;\n}\n.hr.av-kfm9s86r-f210089845ecd8f99e22c74ffc11bf32 .hr-inner{\nwidth:100%;\nborder-color:#6ea7bd;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-kfm9s86r-f210089845ecd8f99e22c74ffc11bf32 hr-custom  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last  hr-center hr-icon-no '><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-thin'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-au5ri-24aa24027baeb55e7060e81d8992bc7d\">\n#top .flex_column.av-au5ri-24aa24027baeb55e7060e81d8992bc7d{\nmargin-top:0px;\nmargin-bottom:0px;\nborder-radius:0px;\n-webkit-border-radius:0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px;\npadding:0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-au5ri-24aa24027baeb55e7060e81d8992bc7d av_one_full  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_one_full  el_before_av_one_full  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding column-top-margin'   ><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Cryptocurrency Investment Scams Growing Alarmingly<br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3104 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Ten-Overal.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2258\" height=\"784\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Ten-Overal.jpg 2258w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Ten-Overal-300x104.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Ten-Overal-1030x358.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Ten-Overal-768x267.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Ten-Overal-1536x533.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Ten-Overal-2048x711.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Ten-Overal-1500x521.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Ten-Overal-705x245.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2258px) 100vw, 2258px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An alarming growth in complaints involving cryptocurrency-linked schemes in 2023 should make consumers wary of any solici-tations involving cryptocurrencies. The percentage of complaints to Fraud.org regarding crypto-linked scams more than doubled year-over-year and made up nearly 1-in-10 (9.03%) of complaints received.\u00a0 The median loss of $20,000 from such scams was also much larger than other fraud types. Consumers typically first learned of these scams via the web (41% of complaints) or text message (37%).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Fake Prizes, Bogus Merchandise Remain Top Scams\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The top three scam categories reported to Fraud.org in 2023 remained unchanged from 2022 with fake prize\/sweepstake\/gift scams topping the list, followed by internet merchandise scams, and phishing\/spoofing scams. Together, the three scam categories made up more than 60% of all complaints in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Offline Fraud Shows Jumps in Advance Fee and Charity Scams<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complaints where consumers reported encountering scammers offline saw some notable increases in advance fee fraud, a scam where consumers are induced to send a payment to receive a promised payout (such as for a loan) which never materializes. The percentage of complaints involving such frauds jumped by 46.47% versus 2022. Also worryingly, complaints involving offline solicitations for fake charities more than tripled, as a percentage of complaints, with many relating to fake rescue operations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Scammers Diversifying Payment Techniques<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Credit cards and bank account debits remained the two most reported methods of payment, respectively. However, scammers are bringing back old ways to get consumers\u2019 money, with wire transfer complaints increasing 69% and \u201cold-fashioned&#8221; cash-based and cashier\u2019s check-based scams showing a 78.8% jump compared to 2022.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h4 style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>When in Doubt, Report It!<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This year\u2019s Top Ten Scams report was compiled from more than 2,700 complaints submitted by consumers. No matter what scam a consumer encounters, we always recommend reporting it. Here at Fraud.org, we share complaints with a network of more than 200 law enforcement and consumer protection agency partners. Those partners use complaint data to spot trends, identify gaps in policy, and build cases against scammers. <a href=\"https:\/\/secure.nclforms.org\/nficweb\/OnlineComplaintForm.aspx\">If in doubt, report it!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-au5ri-2b6a2089f831c0d3ebb68385369efead\">\n#top .flex_column.av-au5ri-2b6a2089f831c0d3ebb68385369efead{\nborder-radius:0px;\n-webkit-border-radius:0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px;\npadding:0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-au5ri-2b6a2089f831c0d3ebb68385369efead av_one_full  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-last  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding column-top-margin'   ><p><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3108 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Tens.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2258\" height=\"1639\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Tens.jpg 2258w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Tens-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Tens-1030x748.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Tens-768x557.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Tens-1536x1115.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Tens-2048x1487.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Tens-1500x1089.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Top-Tens-705x512.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2258px) 100vw, 2258px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>MEET THE SCAMS<\/strong><\/h4>\n<h5><strong>A look at the most reported frauds:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><strong>Advance Fee Loans, Credit Arrangers<\/strong><br \/>\nFalse promises of business or personal loans, even if credit is bad, for a fee<\/p>\n<p><strong>Family \/ Friend Imposters<\/strong><br \/>\nA 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<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fake Check Scams<\/strong><br \/>\nConsumers are asked to cash fraudulent checks and then send the proceeds to a scammer before the check clears<\/p>\n<p><strong>Friendship &amp; Sweetheart Swindles<\/strong><br \/>\nCon artist nurtures an online relationship, builds trust, and convinces victim to send money<\/p>\n<p><strong>Home Repair<\/strong><br \/>\nFake or ineffective home warranties, home protection devices or services, and contractor fraud<\/p>\n<p><strong>Investment (incl. cryptocurrency)<\/strong><br \/>\nConsumers are tricked into paying money for bogus crypto currency investments<\/p>\n<p><strong>Internet: General Merchandise Sales (not auctions)<\/strong><br \/>\nGoods purchased are either never delivered or misrepresented<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prizes\/Sweepstakes\/Free Gifts<\/strong><br \/>\nRequests for payment to claim fictitious prizes, lottery winnings, or gifts<\/p>\n<p><strong>Phishing\/Spoofing<\/strong><br \/>\nEmails pretending to be from a well-known source ask consumers to enter or confirm personal information<\/p>\n<p><strong>Scholarships\/Grants<\/strong><br \/>\nOffers of fictitious \u201cguaranteed\u201d scholarship or grant funds in exchange for up-front payment or personal information<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='hr av-2cuc3f-c1d13e2c591d6d9558e00d58199c5869 hr-default  avia-builder-el-14  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><h4><\/h4>\n<h4><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3102 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Methods.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2160\" height=\"1851\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Methods.jpg 2160w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Methods-300x257.jpg 300w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Methods-1030x883.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Methods-768x658.jpg 768w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Methods-1536x1316.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Methods-2048x1755.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Methods-1500x1285.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Methods-705x604.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2160px) 100vw, 2160px\" \/><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong> <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/>Methodology<\/strong><br \/>\nThe National Consumers League Top Ten Scams report analyzes 2,756 complaints submitted by consumers to NCL\u2019s Fraud.org campaign in 2023. This data is self-reported and should not be considered a nationally representative sample of fraud victims. NCL shares complaint data with a network of law enforcement and consumer protection agency partners who combine it with other data sets to identify trends in fraud and build cases.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='hr av-33twy3-584e627b8f8ed14f5f097f5098fa5632 hr-default  avia-builder-el-16  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><strong>The bottom line<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Regardless of the type of scam, many instances of fraud can be avoided by remembering the old rule of thumb: If something seems too good to be true\u2014it probably is.<\/p>\n<p>If you ever do have questions about a potential fraud or think you might be a victim of a scam,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/secure.nclforms.org\/nficweb\/nfic.htm\">report it immediately<\/a>\u00a0via Fraud.org\u2019s secure online complaint form. Embarrassment or fear of friends and relatives finding out about the crime causes many victims of fraud to remain silent. Only by speaking out can we give law enforcement the tools they need to bring these criminals to justice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>About this report<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fraud.org\u2019s Top Ten Scams report is compiled annually from complaints received directly from consumers. We do not attempt to verify the authenticity of these complaints, nor do they represent a scientific sample. To get more information on these scams or report suspected fraud, please visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/\">Fraud.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Fraud.org is supported by the generous donations by members of our community. You can make a secure, tax-deductible gift\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/donate\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3099"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3099"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3099\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3123,"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3099\/revisions\/3123"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3099"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}