Landmark Looms In the History of Fraud

The FCC says that in 2016 Americans received about 2.4 billion unwanted, automated calls each month, a big number, but one that is increasing exponentially. In 2107 scams represented less than four percent of all incoming cellphone calls. This year is on track to make that figure 29 percent, and next year nearly half of all such calls will be fraudulent. More than half the complaints received by the Federal Communications Commission – 200,000 or so annually – are about unwanted calls. Phone carriers are allowed to block calls that are suspected to be illegal, and the FCC has issued millions of dollars worth of fines against scammers, including a $120 million fine against a Florida man who allegedly made nearly 100 million automated calls offering people exclusive vacation deals. Right now scammers are busy posing as charitable organizations collecting funds for victims of Hurricane Florence. Fake tax problems are a favorite ploy. Callers use telephone numbers that mimic IRS assistance centers, and tell victims they owe money to the government that must be paid using a gift card or wire transfer.