Tallying the fraud

Two million Americans reported falling victim to financial fraud last year, according to the latest data released Tuesday by the Federal Trade Commission.

In Montana, con artists stole $2.4 million from 2,539 residents in 2012.

In Wyoming, 1,368 residents lost $2.3 million.

The average loss was $1,276 per person in Montana and $2,198 in Wyoming.

Of the Top 10 most reported frauds, the prizes, sweepstakes and lottery scams ranked fourth in Montana and eighth in Wyoming.

Source: The data were compiled by the Consumer Sentinel Network, an online database of consumer complaints available only to law enforcement.

Distributed by MCT Information Services