Reporting Internet Scams

Reporting internet scams could take up much of our time if we are not careful when searching the Internet looking for home-based business options or doing ordinary research.

Today's technology-driven world provides a new arena for criminals and other unscrupulous persons.

Fortunately, governments and a host of law enforcement organizations work on our behalf to limit our exposure and prosecute evil-doers.

For this to work well, we must continue our "reporting Internet scams" effort.

Why Report Internet Scams?

There are three reasons:

1. Frequently you get reimbursed for any losses, or at the most, your credit card liability is limited to $50.00, if such loss is reported.
2. Because scams are global in nature, you do your part to help law authorities stop criminal from striking again.
3. By reporting a scam, no matter if you are taken or not, governments and consumer protection organizations around the world can continue their consumer fraud educational responsibilities.

Definition of Internet Scams

The term "Internet fraud" or "Internet Scam" refers generally to any type of scheme that uses one or more components of the Internet--such as chat rooms, e-mail, message boards, or websites--to

(1) present fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims,

(2) to conduct fraudulent transactions, or

(3) to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or to others connected with the scheme.

Unfortunately, people who engage in scams operate in what is commonly called "Internet time." That is, fast and 24/7.

They take advantage of the Internets unique capabilities, such as, sending millions of e-mail messages worldwide in just seconds or posting website information accessible from anywhere in the world, to carry out scams of all sorts quickly.

This is why "reporting Internet scams" is so very important!

Who is on MY side?

If you get taken by a scam, don't worry, there are people who are especially trained to assist you.

• Bank and credit card companies all offer help. They want to "cut their losses." So their economic best interests are at stake in helping you to prevent further loss.
• There are state and federal laws to help you recover any loss.
• Most police/sheriff units co-operate to solve scams by giving specialized training to one or more officers.
• Every state through the state's "attorneys general office" are keenly interested in consumer protection and prosecution of spammers.
• The Better Business Bureau (bbb.org) wants your scam info because they want to protect others and can assist you through the reporting and financial recovery process.
• The " National Association of Attorneys General " and their "American Prosecutors Research Institute" spends thousands of dollars each year educating law enforcement departments throughout the nation.
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) , the nations consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, scams, identity theft and media irregularities.

  The FTC enters all complaints it receives into "Consumer Sentinel," a secure online database that is used by thousands of civil and criminal law enforcement authorities 'worldwide.'

• The FBI, the " National White Collar Crime Center " and the " Bureau of Justice Assistance " all combined their anti-scam and anti-fraud efforts by forming our federal government's "Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

  The IC3 also includes agents and analysts detailed from the IRS and postal inspection service.

  The IC3 is very important because they provide federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with a "single point" of contact--a one-stop shopping approach, if you will, for identifying and referring Internet scams for criminal enforcement.

  The IC3 has substantial investigative and analytical resources available to help you.

These are powerful resources to support you are reporting Internet scams.

What to do in Reporting Internet Scams?

Remember, you do not need to fall for a scam to report one.

Here is what you should do, if you have been taken.

Reporting Internet scams should be in this priority: (And should be done ASAP!)

1. Call your bank or credit card company first to report the scam.

   This sets in motion your legal rights which begin at the hour and date of your telephone call.

   Please immediately follow-up with a written notice using 'snail mail.' Retain a copy for yourself.

2. Visit your local police/sheriff department and file a complaint. (I said "visit" because you may need to fill out a form and sign it.)

   Please do this even though you have called your bank. You want to protect your rights!

3. Call your states Attorneys General office to make the complaint. Follow-up using 'snail mail' to the person who took your complaint.
4. Get the federal government involved by: contacting the IC3 at IC3.gov and completing the online form;
5. File a similar report with the FTC.
6. If your scam involved a foreign company or website, please also file your scam report with " econsumer.gov ." This is a division of the FTC that receives cross-border complaints.

   They will help you resolve your complaint through means other than formal legal action.

7. Call or e-mail the Better Business Bureau, which is not a government agency. They have helpful information available to you.

Hopefully, reporting Internet scams just became easier for you.

Lastly, reporting Internet scams is something I truly wish you to avoid. Good surfing!


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