I have
included this page for all that has fallen victim to fraud or scams
online or offline. If you feel the need to report it
-- to prevent others from succumbing to the same ploy that hit you -- I
have listed the sites for your convenience.
However, please do not
take this responsibility lightly -- if you are wronged, or treated badly
-- but not scammed, do not report it. A scam occurs when a
program or a business misrepresents or makes promises that they do not
keep. This is a quick directory of places where you can
report your scams, as well as, several sites that can keep you
abreast of what scams are circulating the Internet.
WHERE TO REPORT YOUR
SCAMS
Business
Software Alliance -- Report Software Piracy Issues to this
website.
Better Business Bureau -- Never
forget the Better Business Bureau -- when you file a complaint -- they
will contact the organization to try and resolve the issue for you.
Consumer
Sentinel -- One stop investigative cyber tool and complaint database
that provides law enforcement agencies immediate access to
Internet cons, telemarketing scams and other consumer fraud-related
complaints. And it gives consumers a means to voice their complaints
about fraud. Nice site -- informative.
Elderly
Angels --ElderAngels, assists victims of financial elder abuse,
striving to prosecute the abuser, obtain restitution and to educate the
public regarding these crimes.
Equifax
- Monitors the 3 credit agencies with alerts of any changes to
your credit rating. When you notify Experian or TransUnion they will
notify the other 2.
Experian -- Monitors the 3 credit agencies with alerts of any
changes to your credit rating.
Internet Crime Complaint Center -- (Partnership between FBI and
National White Collar Crime Center) Place
to reports an online fraud in its many forms including Intellectual Property Rights, Computer Intrusions (hacking),
Theft of Trade Secrets, Online Extortion, International Money Laundering, Identity Theft, and a growing list of Internet
crimes.
Ebay
Security Center - This site is through Ebay. It gives you helpful
information for Ebay Sellers and Buyers.
Federal
Citizen Information Center -- This site gives you the latest in
scams, fraud, consumer abuse that is in the news. This is a great
site to review and stay informed.
Federal Trade Commission -- Helps
consumers spot, stop and avoid fraudulent activities. The FTC works for
the consumer.
Fraud.org -- This
is a site where you can report different types of scams: Telemarketing
scams, Elder scams, Internet Fraud, Scams Against Businesses.
FraudTech
-- A Website put up by an individual who investigated frauds and cons
for a living. It's a great site to look through and learn from.
OnGuard
Online - OnGuard Online is US Federal government site that
provides you with practical tips, as well as, where you can file a
complaint.
Report
A Scam -- You will report information here if you believe a program
or business opportunity is misrepresenting itself or making promises
that are not being kept.
Rip-Off Report
-- Rip-off Report is a consumer to consumer site, that is seen by over
2,892,077,866 people.
ScamBusters -- Information
that may help you to avoid spam.
SpamLaws.com
-- Laws that currently on the books regarding spam in the US, European
Union and other countries.
TransUnion
- Information & help for victims of fraud. (Identify Theft)
Web Assured -- You can file a
complaint, as well as, look at their watchlist. Companies are
placed on their watchlist when they blatantly disregard Internet
standards.
WhoIs
Search-- Research a domain, and
know who owns the website. Search by IP address, partial name, or
domain. WhoIs, now requires you to register, but it is still free. A
great way to begin your research on an online company.
When beginning work on the Internet, you will encounter obvious
scams, and not so obvious scams. The key is stopping to reflect, research, and as
always, Buyer Beware. If you hear yourself saying,
"This is just too good to be true?" -- Take note, it probably
is. (This is a hard lesson to learn when you want to make money --
learning to walk away.)
