When times are tough, rest assured there are always scam artists around to try to make things worse. The Federal Trade Commission recently announced that it is launching a major sweep to target fraudsters and scammers who proliferate in economic downturns. Scammers thrive on people’s very human vulnerabilities: fear, stress, anxiety, greed, vanity, honesty, and compassion. Where once scammers would use mail, phone, or even local solicitation, today easy to e-mail and websites allows scammers another avenue, one that can deploy pitches widely and quickly. Common schemes in this economy include get-rich-quick schemes, debt-reduction scams, job recruitment scams and work-at-home scams. Authorities warn people to beware of any jobs that require fees: “Pitches for bogus work-at-home opportunities involving medical billing, rebate processing, “mystery shopper” positions that promise to pay you for buying products anonymously for companies, and money-order processing jobs also are on the rise, say Better Business Bureau and consumer-protection officials.”
Then National Consumers League has recently released its semi-annual ranking of the top telemarketing and Internet scams:
Top Scams, Jan. – June 2009
1. Fake Check Scams
2. Internet: Gen Merchandise
3. Prizes/Sweepstakes/Free Gifts
4. Phishing/Spoofing
5. Nigerian Money Offers (not prizes)
6. Business Opportunities/Franchises/Distributorship
7. Advance Fee Loans, Credit Arrangers
8. Friendship & Sweetheart Swindles
9. Internet: Auctions
10. Lotteries/Lottery Ticket Buying Clubs
Remember:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is
• Be super cautious in giving out personal information to anyone, particularly online
• Learn how to protect against phishing and other online scams designed to get your personal information or your money
• Don’t send money to anyone you don’t know
• Avail yourself of consumer protection tools and resources – we’ve compiled some below

Consumer Fraud Resources
FBI Scam Alerts
Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection
Federal Citizen Information Center – Consumer Action Website
Better Business Bureau
State Attorneys General – site links and telephone numbers
State, County, and City Government Consumer Protection Offices
Insurance Scams
Identity Theft Resource Center
National Consumer Law Center