National crackdown on scams

PROVIDENCE R.I. (WPRI) - The Federal Trade Commission announced this week a new initiative to crack down on scammers that try to rip you off.

This crackdown, dubbed "Operation Short Change" promises tough tactics to prosecute scam artists trying to take advantage of you during this economic downturn.

"Operation Short Change" is a massive coordinated crackdown between the FTC, the Department of Justice along with 14 states.

Antoinette Williams, a Greenville resident, says she was nearly scammed by a caller who claimed to be collecting donations for the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.

A real agency, but the caller was anything but. Scam artists are using all kinds of methods to entice victims including job postings, robo calls and even promises of federal grants to pay off personal debt.

Cases of scam artists have been on the rise since the start of the economic downturn. With so many people out of work, scammers are increasing as they look for ways to take advantage of Americans stressed over the economic situation.