Rural Fraud Research - Consumer Survey

FTC Communication Support Vendor - Applied Research & Consulting
FTC Rural Anti-Fraud Research
Survey instrument
August 2017
(Total time of survey: 22 minutes)
A.

Personal & Community Attitudes [Rural Implied] - (3 minutes)

A1.

How well do each of the following words or phrases describe the community in which you live?

[Randomize]
Tightly knit
Isolated
Unique (different
from the rest of the
US)
Open to strangers
Skeptical of strangers
Hard working
Blue collar
High tech
Fast paced
Slow paced
Trusting of other
people
Traditional
Nontraditional
Trusting of
government
Skeptical of
government
Rural
Diverse
Vulnerable
Safe
Friendly
Dangerous
Interconnected
Remote
Religious

B.

Does
not
describe
at all
1
2
1
2
1
2

Describes
extremely
well
3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

6
6
6

7
7
7

8
8
8

9
9
9

10
10
10

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7

8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8

9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

6
6
6

7
7
7

8
8
8

9
9
9

10
10
10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7

8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8

9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

Sophisticated
Progressive
Individualist

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

6
6
6

7
7
7

8
8
8

9
9
9

10
10
10

A2. From the following list of organizations, please select the ones you have heard of. (Select all that
apply) - Randomize
1. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
2. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
3. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
4. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
5. National Consumers League
6. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
7. Better Business Bureau (BBB)
8. Consumer Federation of America
9. National Consumer Agency
10. Federal Bureau of Investigation
B.

Fraud Exposure Self-assessment - (1 minute)
In this survey we are going to ask you several questions concerning scams. By scams, we mean any
instance in which a person (or an organization) intentionally deceives a consumer for financial
gain.

B1. To the best of your knowledge, have you personally experienced a scam?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know/prefer not to say
B2. Have any of your family members or friends ever experienced a scam?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know/not sure
B3. Overall, how concerned are you that you personally could experience a scam?

Not at all
Concerned
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Concerned
10

B4. Overall, how concerned are you that a family member or a friend could experience a scam?

Not at all
Concerned
1

B.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Concerned
10

C.

Specific Fraud Experience [SPLIT SAMPLE N=400 Answers 1-5, N=400 answer 6-10; All answer
C1g-C1l (ID Theft)] - (4 minutes)

In this section, we are going to give you a description of two specific types of scams. For each
scam please answer the questions that follow. [RANDOMIZE]
1. You sent money to someone who said they were a friend or relative in need – but it turned
out they lied.
2. You sent money to someone who said they were from the government (such as the IRS) –
but it turned out they lied.

3. You paid someone who promised to help reduce or get rid of your debt, but the
results did not delivered as promised.
4. You paid someone who promised to help you make money working from home, start
your own business, or coach you on launching a new career online, but you got far
less than what you expected and paid.
5. You were billed for a product, service, or club membership that you never agreed to
pay for.
6. You paid money to someone who was harassing you with calls or letters about a debt
you didn’t owe, or a debt you already paid.
7. You were informed you won a prize or lottery, but you never got your winnings,
even after you paid the taxes or fees you were told to pay.
8. You bought a product that promised to treat or cure medical conditions like cancer,
diabetes, heart disease, opiate withdrawal, or hair loss. The results did not deliver as
promised.
9. You were promised a job if you first paid a fee or if you paid for training, but you
never got the job.
10. You bought a product to lose weight, but the results did not deliver as promised.
C1a. Have you ever heard of this type of scam?
1. Yes
2. No
C1b. Have you personally ever, to your knowledge, experienced this type of scam?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know/not sure
C1c. [IF D1b=1] Have you personally ever, to your knowledge, lost money from this type of scam?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know/not sure
C1d. How concerned are you that this type of scam could happen to you?

Not at all
Concerned
1

B.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Concerned
10

C1e. To your knowledge, has a family member or friend ever experienced this type of scam?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know/not sure
C1f.

How concerned are you that this type of scam could happen to a family member or friend?

Not at all
Concerned
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Concerned
10

C1g. Have you ever heard of identity theft? That is, where a person illegally uses someone else’s
personal information in order to obtain money or credit.
1. Yes
2. No
C1h. Have you personally ever, to your knowledge, experienced identity theft?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know/not sure
C1i.

[IF D1h=1] Have you personally ever, to your knowledge, lost money from identity theft?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know/not sure

C1j.

How concerned are you that identity theft could happen to you?

Not at all
Concerned
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Concerned
10

C1k. To your knowledge, has a family member or friend ever experienced identity theft?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know/not sure
C1l.

How concerned are you that identity theft could happen to a family member or friend?

Not at all
Concerned
1

B.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Concerned
10

C2. [Non-Victim: IF B1=2 or 3; “No or DK” and All C1b/C1h =2 “No”] If you ever suspected that you
experienced a scam or identity theft, would you report the incident to the authorities?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know
C3. [IF C2= 1;“Yes”] To whom would you report it? (Select all that apply) [RANDOMIZE LIST]
1. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
2. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
3. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
4. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
5. National Consumers League
6. AARP
7. National Consumer Agency
8. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
9. Better Business Bureau (BBB)
10. State attorney general
11. Local police department
12. Federal Bureau of Investigation
13. An attorney
14. My bank or credit card company
15. My local church, place of worship
16. Social organization
17. Local media (newspaper, television station)
18. Other (please specify) __________________ [OPEN END]
19. Don’t know/
[UNIQUE]
C4. [IF C2= 2; “No”] Which of the following best describes why you would not report the incident?
(Select all that apply) [RANDOMIZE LIST]
1. Wouldn’t know where to turn
2. Wouldn’t have made a difference
3. Probably would not have time
4. Would want to put it behind me
5. Would be too embarrassed
6. Afraid to contact the authorities
7. Other ______________
8. Don’t know [UNIQUE]

D.

Information Sources - (3 minutes)

D1.

For each of the following organizations, please indicate how trustworthy the organization is as a
resource for helping consumers avoid scams.

[DISPLAY IF
B.

Not at all

Extremely

AWARE IN
B2]

Trustworthy

Trustworthy

Federal Trade
Commission
(FTC)
Federal
Communications
Commission
(FCC)
Consumer
Financial
Protection
Bureau (CFPB)
Financial
Industry
Regulatory
Authority
(FINRA)
National
Consumers
League
Securities and
Exchange
Commission
(SEC)
Better Business
Bureau (BBB)
Consumer
Federation of
America
National
Consumer
Agency
Federal Bureau of
Investigation

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

D2. Please indicate how useful each the following are for information resources in your community.

B.

[DISPLAY IF
AWARE IN
B2, Keeps F1
Order]

Not at all
Trustworthy

Extremely
Trustworthy

Public Library
Local bank
branch
Community
center
County
government
offices
Police
departments
Cooperative

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

6
6

7
7

8
8

9
9

10
10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Extension offices
Television
Radio
Newspaper or
News website
Coffee shops
Grocery stores
Gym/Recreational
facilities
Barber
shop/beauty salon
Movie theater
Shopping mall
Restaurants/Bars

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

6
6
6

7
7
7

8
8
8

9
9
9

10
10
10

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

6
6
6

7
7
7

8
8
8

9
9
9

10
10
10

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1
1
1

2
2
2

3
3
3

4
4
4

5
5
5

6
6
6

7
7
7

8
8
8

9
9
9

10
10
10

D3. Are there other places not listed above that are commonly used as resources for information in
your community? If yes, please name them,
1. Yes: _________________________
2. No
D4. Please state how much you agree or disagree with the following concerning scams?

I like to seek out
information online
I like to seek out
information from
friends and family
I like to get information
in group meetings
I like the information I
receive to be
specifically tailored to
my local area
I like to get my
information from
printed material such as
books, magazines,
newspapers, and
informational
pamphlets
I seek out information
from multiple sources
I generally use a single
trusted source for

B.

Strongly
Disagree
1
1

Neither
Agree
nor
Disagree Disagree
2
3
2
3

Agree
4
4

Strongly
Agree
Don’t
5
Know
5
98

Prefer
not to
Say
99

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

information
I like to have
information provided in
a language other than
English
I like to get my
information from
television
I like to get my
information from radio

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

It is difficult to find
information about
scams in my
community

1

2

3

4

5

98

99

9

Extremely
Likely
10

D5. Who do you rely on to get information about scams?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Myself
My parents
My children
Another family member
Friends
Religious leader
Lawyer
A paid financial advisor
Other (Please specify) _____________

D6. How likely are you to share information about scams?

Not at all
Likely
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

D7. With whom do you (or would you) share information about scams?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

No one
My parents
My children
Another family member
Friends
Religious leader
Lawyer
A paid financial advisor
Other (Please specify) _____________

Stimulus Testing – Sections E-I - (8 minutes) * See attachments for stimulus items.

B.

E.

Identity Theft Brochure

On the next page, please look at the two-page brochure… [Questions in this section refer to
https://www.bulkorder.ftc.gov/system/files/publications/pdf-1015-avoid-idt.pdf]
E1.

How informative did you find the brochure?

Not at all
Informative
1
2
E2.

6

7

8

9

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Appealing
10

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Likely
10

How likely are you to pass along this brochure to a friend or family member?

Not at all
Likely
1

F.

5

If you were to receive this in the mail from the Federal Trade Commission, how likely would you be
to read it?

Not at all
Appealing
1
E4.

4

How appealing is the visual design of this brochure?

Not at all
Appealing
1
E3.

3

Extremely
Informative
10

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Likely
10

10 Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud

Please look at the pamphlet on the next page, …[Questions in this section refer to
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0003-10_things-you-can-do-to-avoid-fraud.pdf ]
F1.

How informative did you find the pamphlet?

Not at all
Informative
1
2
F2.

B.

4

5

6

7

8

9

How appealing is the visual design of this pamphlet?

Not at all
Appealing
1
F3.

3

Extremely
Informative
10

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Appealing
10

If you were to receive this in the mail from the Federal Trade Commission, how likely would you be
to read it?

Not at all
Likely
1
F4.

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

How likely are you to pass along this pamphlet to a friend or family member?

Not at all
Likely
1

G.

2

Extremely
Likely
10

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Likely
10

“You’ve Won” Scams

On the next page, please look the two-page brochure…[Questions in this section refer to
https://www.bulkorder.ftc.gov/system/files/publications/pdf-0185-youve-won-scams.pdf]
G1. How informative did you find the brochure?

Not at all
Informative
1
2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Informative
10

G2. How appealing is the visual design of this brochure?

Not at all
Appealing
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Appealing
10

G3. If you were to receive this in the mail from the Federal Trade Commission, how likely would you be
to read it?

Not at all
Likely
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Likely
10

G4. How likely are you to pass along this brochure to a friend or family member?

Not at all
Likely
1
H.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Likely
10

Storytelling Imposter Scam Flyer

On the next page, please look at the flyer…[Questions in this section refer to storytelling-everycommunity-imposter.pdf]
H1. How informative did you find the flyer?

Not at all
Informative
1
2

B.

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Informative
10

H2. How appealing is the visual design of this flyer?

Not at all
Appealing
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Appealing
10

H3. If you were to receive this in the mail from the Federal Trade Commission, how likely would you be
to read it?

Not at all
Likely
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Likely
10

H4. How likely are you to pass along this flyer to a friend or family member?

Not at all
Likely
1
I.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Likely
10

Storytelling Prize Flyer

On the next page, please look at the flyer…[Questions in this section refer to storytelling-everycommunity-prize.pdf]
I1.

How informative did you find the flyer?

Not at all
Informative
1
2
I2.

5

6

7

8

9

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Appealing
10

If you were to receive this in the mail from the Federal Trade Commission, how likely would you be
to read it?

Not at all
Likely
1
I4.

4

How appealing is the visual design of this flyer?

Not at all
Appealing
1
I3.

3

Extremely
Informative
10

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Likely
10

How likely are you to pass along this flyer to a friend or family member?

Not at all
Likely
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Likely
10

J.

Overall Material Evaluation - (1 minute)

J1.

Now that you have seen these materials, how important is it that people in your community are
made more aware of the dangers of certain scams?

B.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
J2.

Not at all important
Somewhat important
Important
Very Important
Critical

Overall, how clear, useful and informative are the materials you have seen?

Not at all
clear,
useful or
informative
1
2
J3.

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
clear,
useful and
informative
10

How interested are you personally in receiving materials like these?

Not at all
Interested
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Extremely
Interested
10

J4.

Which format of the materials did you like the most?
1. The trifold brochure
2. The two-page brochure
3. The flyer

J5.

For what age are these materials best suited? (Select all that apply)
1. Someone my age
2. Someone older than me
3. Someone younger than me
4. None of the above

J6.

Based on the materials you have seen, how has your opinion of the Federal Trade Commission
changed?
1. Much less favorable
2. Somewhat less favorable
3. Remained the same
4. Somewhat more favorable
5. Much more favorable
6. Don’t know/not sure

K.

Additional Demographics - (2 minutes)
The following questions are for classification purposes only.

K1. What is your age? [DROP DOWN MENU; PUNCH MATCHES AGE]
1. _______________
K2. What was the last year of education that you completed?
1. Did not complete high school
2. High school graduate – regular high school diploma

B.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

High school graduate – GED or alternative credential
Some college
College graduate
Post graduate education
Prefer not to say

K3. What is your marital status?
1. Married
2. Single
3. Separated
4. Divorced
5. Widowed/widower
6. Prefer not to say
K4. Which of the following best describes your current employment or work status?
1. Self employed
2. Work full-time for an employer
3. Work part-time for an employer
4. Homemaker
5. Full-time student
6. Permanently sick, disabled, or unable to work
7. Unemployed or temporarily laid off
8. Retired
9. Prefer not to say
K5. Which language do you speak at home most of the time?
1.
2.
3.
4.

English
Spanish
Some other language. Please specify:_____________
Prefer not to say

K6. Are you Hispanic or Latino?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know/Prefer not to say [TERMINATE]
K7. What is your race? Select all that apply. [ACCEPT MULTIPLE]
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

White or Caucasian
Black or African-American
Asian
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Native American or Alaska Native
Other ______________________
Prefer not to say

K8. What is your household’s approximate annual income, including wages, tips, investment income,
public assistance, income from retirement plans, etc.? Would you say it is …

B.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Less than $15,000
At least $15,000 but less than $25,000
At least $25,000 but less than $40,000
At least $40,000 but less than $50,000
At least $50,000 but less than $75,000
At least $75,000 but less than $100,000
At least $100,000 but less than $150,000
$150,000 or more
Don’t know
Prefer not to say

K9. Including yourself, how many people are in your household?
1. 1 (only yourself)
2. 2
3. 3
4. 4
5. 5
6. 6 or more
7. Prefer not to say
K10. Have you ever been a member of the U.S. Armed Services, either in the active or reserve
component?
1. Currently a member of the U.S. Armed Services
2. Previously a member of the U.S. Armed Services
3. Never a member of the U.S. Armed Services
4. Prefer not to say
K11. Which of the following best describes your generational status in the United States:
1. First generation (you were born outside of the United States, and not a U.S. citizen at birth)
2. Second generation (you were born in the U.S. or a U.S. citizen from birth, with at least one
parent that is first generation)
3. Third generation or higher (you were born in the U.S. or a U.S. citizen from birth and both
parents are also U.S. citizens from birth)

Thank you for participating!

B.

B.