In 2022, nearly 200,000 Americans were targeted by scammers, according to a recent report from the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers, posing as an authority figure from government agencies, cost Americans $2.6 billion in losses last year alone.
Sophisticated tech providing access to real-time information, voice modification and psychological tactics has made it even more difficult for victims to spot fraudulent callers.
On Cincinnati Edition, we learn more about the top imposter scams in the region, what tools scammers are using and what to do if you suspect that someone is trying to scam you.
Guests:
- Dave Hatter, cyber security consultant, intrustIT
- Akshata Kumavat, Intelligence Operations Manager, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office
Resources for reporting fraud:
- Report Internet Crimes to the FBI division of Internet Crimes Complaint Center – www.ic3.gov
- Romance scams that appeal to the emotion and use phone calls or fake identities on social media to lure can report those to the Federal Trade Commission online or by phone at 877-382-4357.
- Phone scams can be reported to www.reportfraud.ftc.gov
- A call that is received using a fake number or VOIP number can be reported to www.donotcall.gov They publish new phone numbers everyday to enable phone companies to be aware of which phone numbers to record as potential scam and blacklist them.
- Any scam calling from a social security administration can be reported at 800-269-0271 or www.ftc.gov/complaint
- For corporates and email users, phishing complaints must be made to www.phishing-report@us-cert.gov
Listen to Cincinnati Edition live at noon M-F. Audio for this segment will be uploaded after 4 p.m. ET.
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