FTC Highlights Data on Business and Government Impersonation Scams

In a "Data Spotlight" report, the FTC highlighted the five most commonly reported ways that government and business impersonators defraud consumers.

The top frauds reported to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network include: (i) copycat account security alerts; (ii) phony subscription renewals; (iii) fake giveaways, discounts, or "money to claim;" (iv) "bogus problems with the law;" and (v) made-up package delivery issues. The FTC reported losses in excess of $1.1 billion in 2023 from these impersonation scams. The FTC said it was taking action in light of complaints around impersonation fraud, as AI-generated deepfakes threaten to exacerbate scams.

The report was released on the effective date of the FTC's new rule on government and business impersonation. The new rule enables the FTC to file federal court cases and to seek reimbursement for injured consumers and civil penalties against rule violators. The FTC is concurrently seeking comment on a supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would further prohibit the impersonation of individuals.