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The Federal Trade Commission monitors consumer fraud and incidences of identity theft across the nation. According to their 2004 statistics, 1,677 fraud and identity theft complaints were filed by Kansas consumers who reported having lost almost $1.4 million in scams. Kansans reported a wide range of problems, including abuses through Internet auctions, advance free loans and credit protection/repair, and foreign money offers. Contrary to popular perceptions, all Americans are targets on con artists--45 percent of Kansans who filed fraud complaints were between the ages of 30 and 49. The number of complaints is rising as well: in 2000, 13,677 incidents of identity theft were reported, but last year that number had risen to 246,570 complaints. The Internet has made this type of consumer fraud easier and more prevalent.
At the start of the 108th Congress, the FTC launched a campaign to help Members of Congress inform constituents and reduce these problems. The FTC is another resource to help Kansans who have been taken advantage of or cheated through identity theft or false online promises.
The FTC maintains several online services to help Americans stay safe from consumer harassment. You can register to participate in the National "Do Not Call" List, which will keep telemarketers from selling your number and calling you against your wishes. You can also click on the topics below to improve consumer security, protect yourself from identity theft, and find additional resources to help consumers.
- Consumer Action Handbook
- Guía del Consumidor (la versión espańol)
- Consumer Information Security
- Online Shopping Tips
- Reduce Spam E-mail
- ID Theft
- The National "Do Not Call" Registry
- Cross-border E-commerce Complaints
To learn more about FTC services or file a complaint, visit their website or call toll-free 1.877.FTC.HELP.