ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we consider what we know about mass-market consumer frauds. First, what do we mean by a mass-market consumer fraud? How many consumers are victims of such frauds? Are there characteristics of consumers that make them more or less likely to become victims? In seeking to answer these questions, we draw heavily on the findings of four surveys of consumer experiences with fraud that have been conducted for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) over the past 20 years. We also consider a study by staff of the FTC that looked at what participants said about the likelihood that they would purchase a product that was advertised in likely-fraudulent ways.
