116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
From the Bureau: National Consumer Protection Week is March 1-7
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Consumer Protection Week is a time to reflect upon consumer rights, fraud and scams. The Better Business Bureau partners with the Federal Trade Commission each year to help consumers avoid, report and recover from scams. Just as there are many types of scams there are many types of victims. Being a vigilant and educated consumer is imperative, especially in the constantly changing world of consumer fraud.
According to the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust data from 2024-25, scam victimization is highest among younger adults (ages 18 to 24), while women are generally more likely to report being targeted than men. Employment and online purchase scams are the most common risks for younger demographics.
Key scam demographics & vulnerabilities
- Age 18-24: This is the highest-risk group for financial loss, often falling for employment, online purchase and cryptocurrency scams.
- Age 65+: While less likely to be targeted than younger adults, they experienced the highest median dollar loss ($160) in 2024, often due to high-stakes phishing or investment fraud.
- Gender: Women report being targeted (65 percent) and victimized (67 percent) at higher rates than men, though men tend to lose more money ($205 vs. $112 median) when targeted.
- Employment & Education: Unemployed individuals are highly targeted, particularly in fraudulent job scams, with 54 percent of victims in one study being unemployed.
- Military Community: Active duty, spouses and veterans are more susceptible, particularly to online purchase scams.
Worried about getting taken in by the latest scam? Concerned about the possibility that your identity could be stolen and then be hit with thousands of dollars of surprise bills? Consumer Protection Week is the time to be reminded of mechanisms that could bring you some peace of mind. The week is devoted to informing consumers of their rights and educating the public about scam and identity theft prevention.
You may have rights as a consumer you did not realize you had – rights that could make all the difference in today’s rough-and-tumble, internet-based financial landscape. Check out www.ftc.gov and www.bbb.org for a list of upcoming online events designed to give you the information you need to stay safe. The FTC encourages all consumers to participate in its free webinars and outreach to learn more about avoiding fraud.
Visit the sites for more detailed tips from the FTC’s blog and the BBB on these pertinent topics: Never send money to someone you haven’t met; never click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or texts; don't trust the legitimacy of a site on appearance alone; don't trust Caller ID; buy online only from legitimate sources; look up company profiles; use credit cards for online purchases; treat personal identification information like gold; being pressured to act quickly could be a scam; get details in writing; don't overshare on social media and keep travel plans to yourself; shred sensitive information; monitor accounts; and use strong passwords.
Report a scam at BBB Scam Tracker. Whether or not you have lost money, your report helps warn other consumers, and alerts the public about fraudulent activities. BBB is often the first organization to know about a developing scam and notify authorities and the public.
Bobby Hansen is regional director for the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office. Comments: (319) 365-1190; info@dm.bbb.org
Daily Newsletters