FBI Provides Fraud Alert Tips To Identify Potential Scams: National Losses In Billions

The FBI released the below information:

MILWAUKEE—The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recently released its 2023 report showing total losses of more than $12.5 billion with frauds and scams making up the majority of crimes.

In Wisconsin, there were 7,683 complaints and reported losses of more than $92 million.

“There’s no question Wisconsin consumers are losing money every day to scams and the FBI is encouraging them to report those to IC3,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Hensle.

“We are working side by side our law enforcement partners every day to prevent these crimes and bring those responsible to justice,” added Hensle.

FBI Milwaukee in conjunction with IC3 has put together a list of common fraud alert questions for consumers to assess whether they may have been targeted by scammers.

• Have you been asked to invest in a cryptocurrency platform or in gold futures?
• Has someone claiming to be a bank or government agency requested money, or for you to liquidate your accounts, in order to clear you of a crime to secure your accounts?
• Has someone claiming to be a tech or customer support representative requested money to remove a virus or child pornography from your computer or secure your account?
• Has someone contacted you claiming a family member is in danger or jail, and you must send money now to avoid further harm?
• Has someone you never met claimed to be romantically interested in you but requests you send them money or something else of value?
• Have you ever been directed to withdraw cash to purchase gold or silver bars to give someone else?
• Has someone sent individuals to your home or directed you to meet in a public place to drop off or pick up money, or other items of value, to deliver to an unknown person?
• Has someone asked you to obtain cash to either purchase gift cards or deposit in a cryptocurrency ATM—or given you a QR code to deposit money into an ATM?

If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, please go to www.ic3.gov for additional resources or to file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). For access to the complete 2023 IC3 report go to Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3) | Annual Reports.