Identity theft ranked #1 in the top 10 consumer complaints for 2014 for the 15th consecutive year, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s report. Over 2.5 million complaints were filed and identity theft accounted for 13% of the complaints. Debt collection and imposter scams were a close 2nd and 3rd as both complaint categories are at about 11%. Imposter scams – where con artists impersonate government officials or others – are on the rise, due in large part to the increase in IRS scams and other government scams, including scams related to the Affordable Care Act. The other 7 of the top 10 complaints include complaints regarding: telephone and mobile services; banks and lenders; prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries; auto-related complaints; shop-at-home and catalog sales; television and electronic media; and internet services.
Let the FTC know if you have complaints; they matter. If you didn’t get the services you were promised, or were cheated out of money or spot another scam, report it. This helps stop these con artists and scammers. To report to the FTC, you can file a complaint in English or Spanish at the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). To report a Medicare related scam or fraud, contact our California Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080.
