JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Scams are increasing across Mississippi, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants you to be aware about how to avoid them.

FTC directors, legal aids and community leaders met to discuss the growing issue of scams in the state on Wednesday, July 24.

Scammers can pretend to be an organization you know or ask you to play in a specific way, including a money order, cryptocurrency or gift card.

“Scams are a big thing. If it’s a scam, it’s usually not a real business. So, it’s really helping consumers become smarter, because if a consumer gets caught in a scam and loses money, that’s money that they can’t spend on a good business,” said John O’Hara, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Mississippi.

According to the FTC, imposter scams were ranked the highest in Mississippi for 2023.