With the close of the year, the Sentinel Team is pleased to report completion of multiple important projects. First, we deployed a security upgrade to bring Sentinel in line with Zero Trust Authentication, a security framework that keeps Sentinel data safe. Second, we overhauled the Econsumer.gov website, which enables consumers to report international scams and learn how to combat fraud. Third, we partnered with VSAFE.gov, a new government-wide website and call center designed to protect veterans, service members, and their families from fraud. Finally, we exceeded our goal of bringing in 100 substantive data partners. Thanks to our valued partners, who now range from Apple to Zelle, our data has accreted over years.
|
|
|
A new Sentinel Data Spotlight shows a sharp spike in online job scams that require consumers to repeat sets of tasks. This spike tracks closely with an increase in reported losses to job scams overall. These scams, known as task scams, have increased massively in the last four years.
|
As noted above, the FTC has added several substantive data partners. Recently, we have welcomed Costco Wholesale Association, Craigslist, National Grid, the U.S. Parole Commission, and Valve Corporation. These new entities provide quality consumer reports in areas such as business and government impostors, job scams, and unsolicited emails and texts to consumers.
|
Please note that as of November 2024, Sentinel is no longer collecting Credit Bureau reports from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the International Association of Better Business Bureaus. It continues to collect all other categories of reports from the CFPB and IABBB. To obtain CFPB Credit Bureau reports, please contact StakeholderEngagement@cfpb.gov.
The Federal Trade Commission has released the National Do Not Call Registry Data Book for Fiscal Year 2024 which shows that consumer reports about unwanted calls continue to drop for the third straight year. Complaint volume is down by more than half since 2021.
 |
|
In October, the FTC released its annual report to Congress on the agency’s recent efforts to protect older adults. The report, citing Sentinel data, states that seniors are less likely to be victims but lose more money to scammers. It also shows that seniors are more likely to be subject to lottery/prize frauds and technical support scams. |
|
|
It is possible to search by consumer age range in Sentinel by using the “Consumer Age Range” filter on the left-hand side of the screen after a search. Approximately half of all consumers report their ages in a way that we can include them.
|
|
Want to learn more Sentinel searching tips like the one above? The next online Sentinel training session will be on Wednesday, December 18th at 12:00 EST; the following one will be on Tuesday, January 21st at 12:00 EST. Please contact sentinel@ftc.gov to register or find out about future monthly sessions.
|
|
|
|
