Top Scams of 2011

Authors: National Consumers League

Year: 2011

Relevance:While based exclusively on self-reported consumer complaints, the National Consumers League’s Fraud Center’s annual report provides a valuable perspective on trends in frauds and scams.

Summary: Scams which received the most number of consumer complaints were:

    1. Prizes/Sweepstakes/Free Gifts 26.98%
    2. Fake Check Scams 26.65%
    3. Internet: Gen Merchandise 24.51%
    4. Phishing/Spoofing 8.17%
    5. Advance Fee Loans, Credit Arrangers 3.09%
    6. Scholarships/Grants 1.51%
    7. Friendship & Sweetheart Swindles 1.40%
    8. Nigerian Money Offers (not prizes) 1.14%
    9. Family/ Friend Imposter 1.06%
    10. Internet: Auctions 0.92%

The majority of scams were implemented via the web (34.9%) or telephone (29.2%), followed by email (20.4%) and postal mail (12.2%).

Payment was most often sent via wire transfer (64.0%), followed by credit card (14.9%) and bank account debit (7.3%).

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