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Fraudulent attempts, both in cyberspace and the real world, have risen to an epic level over the years, buoyed mainly by increased digital interactions. Today, you can get duped while paying at a retail store, networking on social media, donating to a charity (you can read more about this on Nuwber.com), investing in a business opportunity, and countless other ways during your daily interactions.

But are some of us more prone to scams than others? Data shows that geographic location can certainly make a difference.

Top US States With High Rates of Scam

We all know that fraudsters don’t discriminate when targeting victims for deceptive schemes. However, you might want to be extra vigilant if you live in one of these states highlighted in FTC studies.

1. Georgia

In 2022, Georgia’s total scam-related losses amounted to $158.4 million.

The state is known for several types of fraud, including identity theft. Based on an analysis by Upgraded Points, it also claims the second-highest number of credit card fraud, which has shown a 35.7% surge within a three-year period.

2. Delaware

There were 1,506 scam reports per 100,000 people in Delaware, with its residents losing $19 million in total in reported incidents.

3. Nevada

Nevada has consistently ranked among the top states for phishing, online shopping swindles, insurance fraud, and several other types of scams.

4. Florida

Citizens of Florida experience staggering losses due to fraud each year. According to FBI reports, online scams alone have cost them $844.9 million.

5. Maryland

With fraud-related losses reaching $133 million and reports per 100,000 people hovering at 1,363, Maryland residents are among the most scammed in the US.

Protecting Yourself From Fraudulent Threats

Scams can take a variety of forms. While preventing their advances is nearly impossible, you can mitigate most of their threats and protect yourself with the right safety measures.

Here is what you should know.

Understand the Common Frauds

Some scams are more prevalent than others. The common ones to watch out for include:

• IRS imposters demanding unpaid tax money through wire transfers.
• Email phishing, vishing, and smishing scams aimed at stealing identifiable and confidential personal data, from account passwords to credit card details.
• Fake charities soliciting donations.
• Fraudulent lotteries and sweepstakes that phish for personal data or ask for upfront payments to claim prizes.
• Investment scams promising high-yield opportunities with little to no risk.
• Job swindles that involve payments to access guaranteed work.
• Romance fraud that misleads victims on dating apps and social media.
• Telemarketing scams offering fake or non-existing products and services.
• Robocalls that rely on automated prompts to steal identifiable data, such as social security numbers and voice clips. They could also trick you into signing up for paid products, programs, and subscriptions.
• Health scams where fraudulent health insurance claims are made using stolen identities.

All these swindles typically have one of two motives—financial fraud or identity theft—with the latter almost definitely leading to financial crimes.

Pay Heed to Warning Signs

Specific characteristics and signs can give away a fraudulent scheme. By watching out for them, you can identify scams at the outset.

They can include:

• Typos and grammatical errors in written communications, atypical to native English speakers.
• The use of pressure tactics—from limited-time offers to even threats—to get you to act in haste.
• Links that direct you to unverified web pages.
• Payment transactions that involve cryptocurrency, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, and gift cards.
• Too-good-to-be-true offers, promotions, products, and services such as investment opportunities with above-average returns or health products that promise miracle cures.
• Vague or contradicting information about the product or service promoted.
• Unusual behaviors that deviate from the standard protocols of an organization. For instance, a legitimate IRS official would inform you about pending taxes in writing before contacting you in person. They will also give you sufficient time to clarify details and settle the dues. If someone calls and threatens you, demanding immediate payment, it is likely an imposter.

Act With Caution

Practicing caution during any interaction, whether online or offline, is critical for your safety.

• Ask questions to gather as much information as possible before responding or taking any action.
• Conduct extensive research to authenticate claims and statements made regarding products and services.
• Avoid giving into emotional manipulation tactics and acting in haste.
• Verify email senders by inspecting the email address and running a reverse email search.
• Avoid responding to or following instructions given by automated calls.
• Ignore unverified web links and attachments.
• Never agree to share personal information or pay for products or services, especially those involving payment methods that are hard to trace.

Take Precautionary Steps to Ward Off Threats

Certain measures can help strengthen your overall safety and security, helping you minimize the risk of encountering a scam.

Here’s what you can do.

• Use a VPN when surfing the web.
• Install virus and spam protection software that could identify malware threats.
• Delete cookies and disable data tracking features to prevent browsers, software, and websites from collecting personal data.
• Use password protection to keep your digital data secure from unwelcome intrusions. Apply biometric identifiers and multi-factor authentication to mitigate potential threats in the event of a password breach.
• Turn on automatic software updates to get the latest patches for security vulnerabilities.
• Keep hardcopy versions of personal documents secure in a locked drawer or safe. Shred them first when you need to dispose of them with the regular garbage.
• Frequently inspect statements sent by your bank, credit card issuers, lenders, and insurers to identify unusual activity. Checking your credit report from time to time is also worthwhile to detect fraudulent threats early on.

Final Thoughts

If you encounter a scam, keep calm and gather any evidence that could help investigate the crime. For instance, take copies of email communications or voice recordings and call histories of phone calls.

Then, make an official complaint to the Federal Trade Commission and local police. If financial transactions are involved, informing the relevant organization, whether your bank or health care insurance provider, is also important.