"We will not sit idle as older consumers continue to report tech support scams as a leading driver of fraud losses," said Levine, emphasizing the FTC's commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
In 2023, older adults reported losing $175 million to tech support scams and were five times more likely to fall for them than younger consumers, according to FTC data.
The new rule holds scammy businesses accountable even for inbound calls, which plays a critical role in protecting consumers, particularly those age 60 and above.
Tech support scams have historically misled victims through emails or pop-ups about malware infections, leading them to pay scammers via hard-to-trace methods like cryptocurrency.
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