WHERE TO REPORT A SCAM:
Choosing the right jurisdiction
Intro:
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Law Enforcement Jurisdictions:
US City, Town, and County
US State
US Federal
Foreign & International
Internet
Internet Jurisdictions:
Internet Fraud Complaint Center
Internet Better Business Bureau
National Fraud Information Center
SEC Internet Enforcement Program
Jurisdictions on the Internet overlap considerably, meaning that more than one
agency covers the same types of fraud.
Here are some examples of Internet fraud categories:
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Credit card fraud/theft
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Identity theft
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Consumer fraud
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Investment fraud
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Wire fraud
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Money laundering
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Auction fraud
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Terrorist activity
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Sales fraud
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Email and
chat scams
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In short, the same criminal activity found on the street, but committed over the
Internet.
Internet Fraud Complaint Center:
The Internet Fraud Complaint Center is a partnership between the FBI and the
National White Collar Crime Center*, specializing in fraud committed on the
Internet.
When to contact the Internet Fraud Complaint Center
If you have knowledge, evidence, or suspicion of fraudulent activity being
perpetrated on the Internet.
How to contact the Internet Fraud Complaint Center
Before filing a complaint with this agency, be sure you have the following
information at the ready since the complaint form allows a limited time for each
section:
1. Personal Information: 2 - 4 minutes
2. Type of Fraud
3. Perpetrator Information: 1 - 3 minutes
4. Contact Information: 2 - 5 minutes
You will find and online complaint form at
http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/cf1.asp
* The National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) is a nonprofit
organization that
provides a nationwide support system for law enforcement and regulatory agencies
involved in the prevention, investigation and prosecution of economic and
high-tech crime.
Internet Better Business Bureau (BBBOnline):
The BBB specializes in consumer complaints. It is best to review their
complaint policies at
http://www.bbbonline.org/consumer/complaint.asp
National Fraud Information Center:
This agency covers a wide variety of frauds. It is best to review their
complaint policies at
http://www.fraud.org/info/contactnfic.htm
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Internet Enforcement Program:
The SEC specializes in investment fraud. It is best to review their
complaint policies at
http://www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml
No matter which
agency you contact, follow the best policy when
addressing law enforcement with suspicion or knowledge of a
crime:
If you are calling in a tip that you suspect someone of a
violation, before you call write down what you want to say, including
valid reasons for your suspicions.
If you are calling in with
direct, personal knowledge and/or and experience, have your
long narrative or
short narrative and evidence package ready.
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