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Resistance See other Resistance Articles Title: How to Report Internet Fraud How to Report Internet Fraud By Chandra Steele March 5, 2014 11:50am EST The rate of Internet fraud is increasing. Here's what to do if you're one of its victims. How to Report Internet Fraud People get fleeced on the Web every day, and not just by obvious scams like Nigerian princes who want to share their abundant wealth or "girlfriends" who can never seem to get around to meeting you in real life. The United States reports more fraud than any other country, accounting for over 90 percent of the complaints in 2012, according to the Internet Complaint Center, a joint effort between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. On average, victims lost $1,813 each for a total of over $525 million. But whether or not Internet fraud results in monetary loss, it should be reported. Filing an alert might get you justice in the form of an arrest and possible restitution. But it can also benefit others, since it alerts authorities to an issue and can be used as a warning. You can keep on top of the latest Internet threats by reading our own Security Watch blog. It's also National Consumer Protection Week, and event organizers have a number of tips for how to stay safe. But if you've been the victim of Internet fraud, there are several reporting options, according to the type of crime. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will handle a larger majority of those complaints - check out its step-by-step online reporting form - but check out some of the more common tactics employed by fraudsters today, and how best to protect yourself and others. Business Scams You've no doubt seen those "My step-aunt earns $1300 working at home" comments around the Internet. It sure sounds like it would be a dream opportunity, but it's a scam that can result in a nightmare. You'll be asked to send money for training, membership fees, or equipment for a job that will never materialize. Report them to the FTC. Identity Theft Identity theft was the top consumer complaint last year and has been since 2006. Identity thieves can not only wipe out your bank account, they can open new lines of credit in your name. Make sure you call your bank, file a police report, and notify the credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax) if you become a victim. Web Database Scams These days, Internet fraud victims risk having their personal information posted online for other scammers to cherry pick and abuse - from Social Security to driver's licenses numbers. If your private information pops up in Internet search results, you can ask that it be removed from the company hosting it, like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Imposter Scams Your generosity toward friends can cost you. This scam usually appears in the form of an email from a friend who claims to have been robbed in a foreign country and asks that you send money via Western Union to help them get home. The message, however, is almost certainly not your friend, but a scammer who has hacked their email account. PCMag's networking and security analyst Fahmida Rashid has some good tips based on personal experience. Romance Scams Also known as "catfishing," romance scams can take far more than an emotional toll. You can end up poorer if you've sent them money for purported travel, medical, or other expenses. Rule of thumb: if someone you're talking to online asks for any kind of money or gift - from a cell phone to a wire transfer - don't do it. Consumer Transactions With Foreign Companies If you've ordered something from another country and—after weeks of trying to trace it through foreign postal tracking systems—it never arrives and your messages to the seller have gone unanswered, the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network has set up a system to help. Internet Investment Fraud "If it's spam it's a scam" is a good rule to follow. But if you fell for it, and are out money, the Securities and Exchange Commission is the place to turn. For more, check out How to Find Out If You've Been Hacked. Poster Comment: Many links at source. Most important thing is DO NOT SEND ANYONE ANY MONEY. I haven't and I will not. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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