{"id":1955,"date":"2025-01-14T14:34:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T19:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cap\/?p=1955"},"modified":"2025-01-14T14:34:06","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T19:34:06","slug":"vermonts-top-10-scams-of-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/cap\/vermonts-top-10-scams-of-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Vermont’s Top 10 Scams of 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Vermonters made a total of 3,533 scam reports to the Attorney General\u2019s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) in 2024. Leading the list was the \u201cComputer Tech Support\u201d scam, totaling almost 30% of the top scams reported. This scam tricks people with sudden alerts about alleged computer issues, such as expiring antivirus software or malware infections. Variations also include fake messages to the consumer\u2019s phone or email about packages or unauthorized orders. Noticeably, this marks the fourth consecutive year this scam has ranked as the most reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Top<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The email extortion scam has returned to the list after a four-year hiatus. These troubling emails threaten to release personally compromising photos and information. A new and disturbing twist on this scam is the emails include screen-captured images of the recipient\u2019s home from online map services to further unsettle recipients and pressure them into complying with the scammers\u2019 demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEducating consumers is the best way to protect Vermonters from scams,\u201d said Attorney General Clark. \u201cWith most scams originating overseas, they are incredibly difficult to shut down. These are the top scams to look out for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More information about scam prevention strategies and other resources can be found on the CAP Connection blog<\/a>, at Attorney General Clark\u2019s social media sites, and by signing up for VT Scam Alert System scam alerts. To sign up, visit CAP\u2019s scam prevention website<\/a>. Roughly 9,000 Vermonters have signed up to receive alerts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The VT Scam Alert System was previously established through a partnership with Vermont Emergency Management that granted the Attorney General\u2019s Office permission to manage a contact list and issue alerts utilizing limited features of the Vermont Alert system. VT-ALERT <\/a>is the state\u2019s notification system for emergencies, severe weather, roadway interruptions and hazards, environmental hazards, and more. This year, the Attorney General\u2019s Office and VT-ALERT are strengthening this partnership by merging the existing VT Scam Alert System with the well-established VT-ALERT system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVermonters have long relied on Vermont Alert to notify them of floods, hazardous travel, local boil water notices, and countless other issues that impact their lives,\u201d Vermont Emergency Management Director Eric Forand said. \u201cScam alerts will add a layer of protection of Vermonters\u2019 financial security for those who choose to receive them.\u201d Attorney General Clark thanked Vermont Emergency Management for their partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the future, whenever someone signs up for VT-ALERT, they will have the option to choose to receive notifications about scams among the list of options. VT-ALERT\u2019s 72,000 existing users can also update their preferences to add scam alerts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attorney General Clark reminds Vermonters to report scams and get support if you or a loved one falls victim to a scam by contacting her Consumer Assistance Program. Call 800-649-2424 or email AGO.CAP@vermont.gov<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n


The Top 10 Scams of 2024:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10<\/strong><\/td>Scam Type<\/strong><\/td>Reported Totals<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
1<\/td>Computer Tech Support<\/td>645<\/td><\/tr>
2<\/td>Identity Theft<\/td>324<\/td><\/tr>
3<\/td>Law Enforcement Imposter<\/td>276<\/td><\/tr>
4<\/td>Medicare Card Phishing<\/td>184<\/td><\/tr>
5<\/td>Relationship Imposter<\/td>145<\/td><\/tr>
6<\/td>Fake Websites\/Online Listing<\/td>142<\/td><\/tr>
7<\/td>Email Extortion<\/td>141<\/td><\/tr>
8<\/td>Sweepstakes\/Lottery<\/td>128<\/td><\/tr>
9<\/td>Deceitful Solicitation<\/td>126<\/td><\/tr>
10<\/td>Bank-related Phishing<\/td>112<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
Vermont’s Top 10 Scams of 2024 by Number of Scams Reported<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Total Reports in the Top 10:                                2,223<\/u><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total Number of All Scams<\/u><\/strong>:                             3,533<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A chart containing the Top 10 Scams of 2024 can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A complete overview of the Top 10 Scams of 2024, including how to spot them, is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Top<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Scams of 2024 Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Computer Tech Support<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scam: You receive a phone call, pop-up, email or text message on your computer claiming to be a well-known company; sometimes it\u2019s a tech company like Norton, Apple, or Microsoft, or it\u2019s Amazon saying your credit card has been charged, or there is a package delivery delay. They will urge you to contact them due to a problem: your electronic device has a virus, your device security subscription has been automatically renewed, or you have been charged for services you did not receive or request. You may be prompted to click a link or call a number to contact. They will try to persuade you to give remote access to your device to fix the problem and sometimes will even ask for immediate payment for their services or have you login to your online bank account to initiate a transfer.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to spot the scam: Companies will not call with tech support unless you request that they contact you. Legitimate tech support companies do not display communications to their customers as random notices or alerts on your device. Tech support will not call you to warn you about security incidents, that your account has been renewed for a subscription you do not recognize and will not send you random links with instructions for you to click on URLs. If you receive a package that you do not recall ordering, check your statement history to see if you have been charged. Packages without a return address are highly suspicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do: When contacted about a supposed business relationship, take steps to verify, especially if you do not remember purchasing the products\/services. Never click on links or provide remote access to your computer from an unknown sender or pop-up message on your device\u2019s screen. If you receive a pop-up message you cannot click out of, shut down, restart, or unplug your device. If you get a call from \u201ctech support\u201d, hang up. Also, be careful when searching for tech support online. Some users have been scammed by calling inaccurate phone numbers listed online. If you are concerned about charges made to your accounts, log in to your account directly and contact your financial institution. If you receive a package that you did not order, write \u201creturn to sender\u201d on it and give it back to the mail carrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n