Consumer Reports highlights America’s Worst Scams

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Fraud and identity theft complaints have gone up nearly 20% since just 2010, according to the latest Consumer Reports . 

The article states financial fraud is costing Americans $40 billion to $50 billion annually. 

Some of the top scams to look out for right now include scams involving the sale of solar energy systems, computer virus removal and $100 store gift card scams.

"What you're seeing is new twists on the current scams,” said Kansas City FBI spokesperson Bridget Patton.

Other common and popular scams right now, according to Consumer Reports, include the one which promises to show you who is viewing your Facebook profile, a family health care plan for just dollars a day and the common grandparent scam. 

Call For Action recently told you how an Independence man was contacted by a scam artist pretending to be his grandson stuck in a foreign country and needing money. Luckily, a Western Union employee told the consumer that this was likely a scam before wiring money.

The Kansas City FBI even hears about scammers who use the agency's name in an effort to defraud someone.

"The FBI is not going to ask for your banking information nor are we going to try to collect a debt from you,” Patton said.  

If you receive an offer and suspect it's a scam, Patton recommends going to the website www.IC3.gov to check out what crimes are trending right now. 

Also, it is important to report fraud and ID theft to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission .