It may be the season of goodwill toward all, but Santa has a naughty list for a reason. And this time of year is also a busy and lucrative season for scammers. So while you’re looking for that perfect, last-minute gift, be sure to have your guard up to protect yourself from thieves. Well-known supply chain problems are creating opportunities for scams this year, said Naomi R. Cahn, director of the Family Law Center at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Last year alone, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 2.1 million reports of fraud from consumers, with imposter scams and online shopping as the leading categories. Consumers last year lost more than $3.3 billion to fraud, an increase over the $1.8 billion lost in 2019.The FTC says that scammers – like the rest of us – follow headlines and know what everyone is trying to buy. Shortages create openings for scammers to present themselves as problem solvers to frazzled consumers. And it’s not just seniors who are being targeted by scams, Cahn said; we’re all potential victims.