According to the FTC, more than one in ten Americans — nearly 25 million adults in the United States — were victims of some type of consumer fraud in 2003. Fraud poses a threat to consumers and the economy as a whole. Even the most wary and sophisticated consumers may fall victim to fraudulent offers in the mail, in the media, and on the Internet. Fraud steals your money, your identity and even your self-respect. Protect yourself by learning to recognize fraud.

You can protect yourself by learning to recognize e-mail fraud and identify unauthorized purchases. By practicing safe online shopping and immediately reporting lost or stolen cards, you can dramatically reduce your chances of being defrauded.