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Identify theft and impostor scams were the top Arizona complaints to the FTC

Identity theft was the top consumer complaint among Arizonans last year, according to newly released data from the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC received 51,873 fraud reports from consumers in Arizona in 2021.They added up to $116,030,737, with a median loss of $515.

The top categories were:

  • Identify theft.
  • Impostor scams.
  • Online shopping and negative reviews.
  • Credit bureaus, information furnishers and reporter users.
  • Banks and lenders.

Nationally, impostor scams were the most common fraud reported to the FTC with losses totaling more than $2.3 billion. Online shopping was the second most common category with losses accounting for about $392 million.

The other top fraud categories reported nationally were prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries, internet services, and business and job opportunities.

People between 20 and 29 years old reported losing money to fraud more often than those over the age of 80. But when older people did lose money, they lost a median amount of $1,500, which was three times the median amount younger people lost.

The FTC’s database includes reports directly from consumers, along with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, the Better Business Bureau, industry members and nonprofit organizations.

Find information about how to report fraud at the FTC’s website, reportfraud.ftc.gov.

As a senior field correspondent, Christina Estes focuses on stories that impact our economy, your wallet and public policy.