National Fraud Awareness Week’s mission is to improve everyone’s general awareness and ability to detect scams and unethical practices. People are often flooded with sweepstakes forms, random solicitations, and donation slips through email, on the phone, or by regular mail. While much of this comes from bona fide charities and businesses, unscrupulous businesses and scam artists also utilize these delivery methods to defraud consumers of billions of dollars annually. The most popular types of fraud are deceptive “work at home opportunities,” dishonest contractors or service providers, phony charities, and fake medical devices and treatments.
During National Fraud Awareness Week, businesses can remind their staff of illegitimate companies and their unethical practices by putting up posters around the office and distributing custom bumper stickers to improve their employees’ awareness of fraudulent scams. It’s important for everyone to remember that you don’t have to buy something just because someone wants you to.