Scams across the US caused victims to lose around $10billion in 2023, it has been revealed.

Tricks which have been planted by eager con-artists can be found across social media and online, with targeted ads luring unsuspected victims into coughing up huge lumps of cash.

'Scammers say and do things that can tell us they're lying - and they're not who they pretend to be,' wrote Jennifer Leach of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

'We have to get past the panic scammers make us feel, thanks to the so-called emergencies they try to create.'




Scams across the United States have caused victims to lose around $10 billion in 2023. Some of the most common scams include imposter, investment, and social media scams





According to Jennifer Leach, 'Scammers say and do things that can tell us they're lying - and they're not who they pretend to be'

According to the FTC, the most common scams in 2023 were imposter, investment, and social media scams with fraudsters convincing people to part ways with their hard earned money over the telephone as well as online. 

The FTC revealed multiple lies that scammers usually tell their potential victims on March 7.

In some cases, a salesperson will lure in a customer to make a purchase on a sale item by telling them to 'act now.'

Scammers usually tell their possible victims the same thing, only instead, they do it to rip them off.

The individuals that are looking to rip off any consumer will pressure them into doing something immediately and it's the 'sense of urgency' that the FTC wants everyone to watch out for.




Fraudsters can convince people to part ways with their hard earned money over the telephone as well as online

Even if a scammer doesn't tell a consumer to 'act now,' the con-artists can enforce the potential victims to do only what they say.

Anyone who is told to lie to someone such as a spouse, financial advisor, or bank is likely being scammed.

A scammer can also use these common statements 'don't trust anyone' or 'they're on it,' in order to cut a consumer off from anyone that could slow down their scam.

According to the FTC via CBS News, 'cybercriminals want you to feel isolated and unable to turn to someone who might tell you to pump the brakes.'

If cybercriminals can make some feel isolated, then that person may become a scam victim. 




In some cases, a salesperson will lure in a customer to make a purchase on a sale item by telling them to 'act now.' Scammers usually tell their possible victims the same thing, crypto only instead, they do it to rip them off

A potential victim may also be told: 'Do [this] or you'll be arrested.'

The FTC confirmed in their March 7 write-up that 'any threat like that is a lie.'

'Nobody needs money or information to keep you out of jail, keep you from being deported, or avoid bigger fines. They're all scams,' they added.

Talkers should also listen to the line 'don't hang up' whenever they're talking to someone they don't know on the phone.

'If someone wants to keep you on the phone while you go withdraw or transfer money, buy gift cards, or anything else they're asking you to do: that's a scammer,' the FTC wrote.

Unfortunately, the statement 'move your money to protect it' may sound like a good idea, but it can lead to someone being scammed.




A potential victim may also be told: 'Do [this] or you'll be arrested.' The FTC confirmed in their March 7 write-up that 'any threat like that is a lie'





Talkers should also listen to the line 'don't hang up' whenever they're talking to someone they don't know on the phone because scammers will attempt to pressure a potential victim

In reality, it's not good when someone is told to transfer or withdraw their money from their bank or investment accounts.

However, major red flags can go off in a person's mind if someone requests that the withdraw money and buy gold bars or give it to anyone.

Gold bars can be purchased through licensed retailers online but the FTC is insisting that a withdrawal like this is a scam 'always. Every time.'

Withdrawing money can also be an easy scam, which is why anyone who does this must not 'give it to a courier' or 'deliver it anywhere.'

Bitcoin is a popular decentralized cryptocurrency that can walk anyone right into a scam.

This cryptocurrency scam has become popular and according to Fox 59, it is the reason behind $1.41 billion reported in losses last year.

Someone telling a consumer to 'buy gift cards' is also hoping to steal a barcode and PIN information from credit or debit card.

'There's never a reason to pay for anything with a gift card. And once you share the PIN numbers on the back, your money's as good as gone,' the FTC wrote. 


Read more:

Sure ways to spot a scammer | Consumer Advice

10 lies scammers tell to separate you from your money - CBS News

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