FTC Survey Finds Telemarketing Least Popular for Scam Artists
More than twice as much consumer fraud is committed with print, television, radio or Internet advertising than by telemarketing, according to consumer fraud survey findings released by the Federal Trade Commission.
In a one-year period more than 30 million consumers fell victim to fraud or about 13.5% of all adults. Fraud is multi-channel, but only 9% involved telemarketing.
Direct mail, catalogs, newspaper and magazine advertising, posters and flyers were used to pitch 27% of reported fraud incidents. E-mail and Web sites accounted for 22% of fraudulent marketing pitches. Television and radio were used in 21% of reported incidents of fraud.
Weight loss products and buyers club memberships represented two of the largest categories for fraudulent offers. A substantial number of fraud incidents involved prize promotions and work-at-home programs.
Consumers who have not completed college and individuals 35 to 44 were the mostly likely to become victims of fraud, according to the FTC’s findings. Consumers between 65 and 74 were 32% less likely to report experiencing fraud, compared to the younger age group.
