The top three scams in 2020 were identity theft, imposter scams, and online shopping fraud.
According to authorities, a huge surge in fraud cases targeting seniors and other vulnerable populations affected by the pandemic has been reported.
With the COVID-19 pandemic came a surge in frauds and scams, like identity theft, as well as online shopping and vaccine scams.
The Federal Trade Commission said total fraud losses in 2020 were $3.3 billion, up from $1.9 billion the previous year.
Fighting fraud and scams was the objective of a Consumer Protection Virtual Forum hosted Friday by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-New Port Richey).
Experts from the FTC, as well as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Florida Division of Consumer Services, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Internal Revenue Service gave the public updated information on scams and how they can be prevented or reported.