A Year in Review:
Marketplace Scams
BBB Institute for
Marketplace Trust
Better Business Bureau’s
501(c)(3) educational
foundation:
✓ Marketplace research
✓ Consumer education
✓ Business programs
A consumer prevention and
reporting platform:
✓Search scams.
✓Report scams.
BBB.org/ScamTracker
Complaints vs. Scams
Complaints: A dispute with a
business related to a
marketplace issue.
Scam: An illegal or fraudulent
offer or interaction with a bad
actor.
BBB Risk Index: Measuring Scam Risk
High-touch approach:
Scammers spend more time with the target
to steal higher volumes of money.
EXAMPLES: Romance, Employment scams
High-volume approach:
Scammers target as many people as possible
but yield a lower monetary loss.
EXAMPLES: Online purchase, phishing scams
Online Purchase
Scams
Riskiest Scams Reported by Businesses
Bank/Credit Card
Imposter Scams
Cryptocurrency
Scams
#1
#2
#3
• 19.0% of business scams
• 76.8% reported losing
money
• Median $ loss: $99
• 4.0% of business scams
• 29.0% reported losing
money
• Median $ loss: $850
• 1.2% of business scams
• 41.9% reported losing
money
• Median $ loss: $1,765
Other Business Scams
• Charity ($750)
• Business email compromise ($600)
• Fake check ($500)
• Tech support ($327)
• Phishing ($299)
• Fake invoice/supplier bills ($298)
• Government agency imposter ($192)
Directory Listings ($225)
Vanity Awards ($229)
Schemes Targeting Businesses
Worthless Problem-
solving Services ($475)
Contact Method
Highest reported
susceptibility
1. Website
2. Social media
3. Online classifieds
Highest reported
median $ loss
1. In person ($800)
2. Text message ($700)
3. Phone ($440)
Payment Method
Highest reported
median $ loss:
1. Wire transfer ($2,210)
2. Check and Cryptocurrency
($1,000)
3. Prepaid card ($525)
Impersonation was the most reported tactic used by scammers.
Source: Start With Trust Online Report (2022)
Most reported types of
organizations being
impersonated by scammers:
• Well-known business
(50%)
• Employer/recruiter (12%)
• Puppy breeder (11%)
• Certified professional (9%)
• Government agency (7%)
Source: Start With Trust Online Report (2022)
2022 Most Impersonated Brands/Organizations
Source: 2022 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report
Online Scams Are Riskier (consumer data)
Source: 2022 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report
Thank you!
