MISSOULA, Mont. — New data shows the Federal Trade Commission received nearly 9,729 reports from consumers in Montana in 2023. That includes just under 5,999 fraud reports from consumers who reported losing $21,093,571 to scams last year, with a median loss of $500.
“The reality and why it is so concerning is because fraud and scams are bad for business, and they are bad for individuals. Fraud leads to financial loss for legitimate businesses, and for individuals it can lead to identity theft, financial loss and possible emotional trauma,” said Jennifer Tourje, the assistant director for the FTC Northwest Region.
The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network is a database that receives reports directly from consumers, as well as from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, the Better Business Bureau, industry members and nonprofit organizations.