This article was originally posted by the FTC. See the original article here.

To combat government and business impersonation scams and get money back to people, the FTC is considering changes to the law that would give the agency better tools. Want to help? Submit a comment on the rulemaking and make your voice heard.

Whether they call pretending to be from the Social Security Administration or email or text you claiming to be from a trusted business, impersonators are trying to steal your money or get your personal information or both. And, for the past two years, they’ve been taking advantage of the confusion over the pandemic. The FTC’s data show that COVID-specific scam reports have included 14,069 complaints of government impersonation and 9,850 complaints of business impersonation. People have lost over $52 million to COVID-specific government and business impersonators since January 1, 2020.

Current law limits the FTC’s ability to combat these scams and return money to people who’ve lost money to these scammers. The FTC wants to change the law to make it easier to sue and get refunds for people who have experienced impersonation fraud. If you’ve experienced impersonation fraud, or have an opinion about the proposed rulemaking, submit your comment. All comments must be submitted online by February 22.

Brought to you by Dr. Ware, Microsoft Office 365 Silver Partner, Charleston SC.