According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, analyzed by finance group The Ascent, North Carolinians have lost close to 3.8 million dollars due to COVID-19 related fraud schemes. This makes North Carolina the 8th-highest state in the nation being targeted by fraud.
Fake product scams and services sold online have been reported the most, along with phone scams, most likely people acting like they work for the government.
North Carolininans have also handed over personal information and money for fake COVID-19 tests.
"Scammers follow the news like the rest of us- they are opportunistic when they learn about a new government program that involves payment to consumers or small businesses they leap on that," FTC commissioner Charles Harwood said.
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