INDIANAPOLIS -- The federal government has unveiled new resources aimed at combatting what they’re calling “imposter scams.”
Typically the scammer pretends to be someone they’re not: the IRS, a government official, a family member or friend, or a tech company.
“These imposters come in many varieties, but work the same way: the person pretending to be someone you trust tries to convince you to send money,” according to the Federal Trade Commission. “The request is the same: wire money to pay taxes or fees, or to help someone you care about.”
The Federal Trade Commission received 353,770 imposter-related complaints last year.
The agency released new resources to help you spot and avoid four common kinds of imposter scams: Family Emergency Imposter Scams,Tech Support Imposter Scams, Online Romance Imposter Scams, andIRS Imposter Scams.
The one-minute videos show how people are targeted, how to spot the scam, and where to report it.
It’s part of FTC’s Pass It On campaign, which aims to raise awareness about fraud.
You can file a consumer complaint online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).
Unwanted calls and phone scams are the number one complaint to the Indiana Attorney General.
You can register for the Do Not Call listto block telemarketing calls and consider othercall-blocking services.
