Criminals have so many ways to getting in touch with us these days. According to new data from the Federal Trade Commission, the winning entry path in 2022 was the internet.

About one fourth of fraud reports indicate the contact method was an online source (website, app, pop up add or social media) and in 6 out of 10 cases, the victim lost money. One reason these attacks are so successful is that criminals make it very hard to tell the difference between a legitimate website and a fake one. The same goes with online ads. To avoid going to a fake website, don’t click on links from emails or text messages – type the web address into your browser window yourself. And be dubious of online ads that seem too good to be true.

Oh, and the phone isn’t much safer. The FTC also found that victims of phone and text scams lose more money on average than those starting on the internet.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Go to aarp.org/me or call 1-866-554-5380.