Scammers targeted more New Yorkers than ever in 2023, with nearly 150,000 fraud reports filed statewide, according to a new analysis by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). The report draws on data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and reveals a disturbing increase in digital and phone-based fraud.
In total, New Yorkers lost $137.7 million to scams, making the state one of the hardest-hit in the nation. Nationally, the number of scam reports reached nearly 3 million in 2023, with Americans losing over $10 billion.
Most common scams in New York
The report identifies the top scam types reported in New York:
- Imposter scams (e.g., fake IRS or tech support calls)
- Online shopping scams (non-delivery or counterfeit goods)
- Prizes, sweepstakes, and lottery fraud
- Bank fraud and fake debt collections
- Identity theft through phishing emails or social engineering
These schemes typically arrive via text, robocalls, or deceptive websites and often target seniors and low-income residents.
How scammers reach their victims
Scammers most commonly make first contact through:
- Text messages (27.6%)
- Phone calls (26.4%)
- Websites and apps (19.7%)
- Emails (13.5%)
Once contact is made, scammers often convince victims to send money via:
- Credit cards (30.8%)
- Bank transfers or payments (25.5%)
- Digital payment apps like Zelle or Venmo (17.9%)
Counties hit hardest in New York
According to the FTC data cited in the PIRG report, these counties had the highest number of scam reports per 100,000 residents:
- New York County (Manhattan) – 1,429 reports
- Nassau County – 1,187 reports
- Rockland County – 1,184 reports
- Westchester County – 1,105 reports
- Putnam County – 1,099 reports
While densely populated counties saw the most complaints, smaller and rural communities weren’t immune to fraud tactics.
Consumer protection advocates call for stronger federal oversight
In light of the growing fraud epidemic, PIRG is urging federal regulators and Congress to take action:
- Improve spam and scam filtering across phone and internet services
- Mandate better fraud detection tools on digital payment platforms
- Increase public education campaigns about common scam tactics
What consumers can do
To avoid falling victim to scams:
- Never give out personal or financial info by phone, text, or email
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links
- Verify any unsolicited communication through a known contact method
- Report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
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