Fraud

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued its “2023 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book,” providing aggregated information from last year on a full range of fraud, identity theft, and other consumer protection topics. The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network is a database that receives reports directly from consumers, as well as from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the Better Business Bureau, industry members, and non-profit organizations. More than 20 states contribute data to Sentinel. Sentinel received 5.4 million reports in 2023; these included fraud reports, as well as identity theft reports, and complaints related to other consumer issues, such as problems with credit bureaus, banks, and lenders...

NCLER has shared some resources for advocates in honor of National Consumer Protection Week. National Consumer Protection Week is a time to education people on their consumer rights and how to avoid fraud. NCLER resources include trainings, brochures, and flyers that share information about preventing and protecting older adults from scams and abuse.

This resource provides a summary of the ten most-reported scams the Senate Aging Committee's toll-free Fraud Hotline (1-855-303-9470) in 2019. Common instances reported include IRS impersonation scams, sweepstakes scams, and computer tech support scams. This report also summarizes common scams by state and provides tips for avoiding scams.

This report outlines the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) research, law enforcement, and education efforts aimed at protecting older consumers. The report finds that although consumers 60 and older report losing money to scams less often than younger adults, the amount of money they lose is higher. Older adults reported losing money most often to phone scams and online scams. This report also highlights the Pass it On campaign.

This resource provides a summary of the ten most-reported scams the Senate Aging Committee's toll-free Fraud Hotline (1-855-303-9470) in 2018. Common instances reported include IRS impersonation scams, sweepstakes scams, and computer tech support scams. This report also summarizes common scams by state and provides tips for avoiding scams.