Security News > 2024 > April > FTC: Americans lost $1.1 billion to impersonation scams in 2023
Impersonation scams in the U.S. exceeded $1.1 billion in losses last year, according to statistics collected by the Federal Trade Commission, a figure that is three times higher than in 2020.
The agency compiled this data based on 490,000 reported scams in 2023.
"Reports show an increasingly blurred line between business and government impersonation scams," reads the FTC report.
"Many scammers impersonate more than one organization in a single scam - for example, a fake Amazon employee might transfer you to a fake bank or even a fake FBI or FTC employee for fake help."
Fake Giveaways, Discounts, or Money to Claim: Scams offer bogus discounts or giveaways from known brands, leading victims to buy gift cards or send money to claim the non-existent offers.
FTC warns scammers are impersonating its employees to steal money.