The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) revealed which companies scammers most commonly pose as victims to steal their money.
One cover story in particular is proving very successful for criminals.
The FTC is warning consumers to beware of scammers pretending to be big companies.
In a report released this month, Best Buy’s Geek Squad was named as the most popular disguise for criminals.
Amazon and PayPal have also been extensively impersonated.
“Scammers posing as these companies work in very different ways,” the FTC revealed.
“For example, fake emails from Geek Squad tell you that a computer service you never signed up for is about to renew – worth several hundred dollars.”
However, two less imitated companies are proving to be the most successful covers for scammers.
Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House are the two most profitable ploys, the FTC found.
“Microsoft impersonation scams start with a fake security pop-up warning on your computer with a number to ask for ‘help,’ read the report.
“And calls from the fake Publishers Clearing House say you will have to pay fees to receive your (fake) sweepstakes winnings.”
The FTC report also found the most popular methods used by con artists.
Email and telephone are still the most widespread means of communication used to scam victims.
However, the agency also found an increase in the use of social media to conduct shady schemes.
Facebook and Instagram were named as the two most popular platforms for criminals.
The FTC has told big companies that they need to make it easy for customers to contact them and validate that communications are legitimate.
Scammers posing as these companies work in very different ways.
For example, fake emails from Geek Squad tell you that a computer service you never signed up for is about to renew – worth several hundred dollars.
Federal Trade Commission
ATTENTION
Criminals aren’t just posing as well-known brands to steal money from unsuspecting victims.
Many Americans have also been burned in ticketing scams.
Fake tickets are being sold on popular resale sites like StubHub, leaving customers hundreds of dollars out of pocket.
According to the Best Business Desk (BBB), there have been more than 140 reports of ticket fraud for concerts, sporting events and theater shows in 2022.
Scammers are also posing as family members over the phone to steal thousands of dollars from victims.
And look what happened to a man who fell for the Best Buy Geek Squad scam.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
