Report Web Site / Computer Fraud Scams

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Complaint Assistant
  This U.S Government services is designed to streamline the complaint process for every type of fraud.  You can file a complaint online, print a copy and get expert advise on what you need to do.  Topics cover everything that falls within Rip-offs, Imposter Scams, Mobile Devices, Telephones, Internet Services, Online Shopping, Computers, Education, Jobs, Making Money, Credit, Debt, Robocalls, Unwanted Telemarketing, Text, and SPAM. or call FTC Hotline at 877-701-9595
  Watch Video - How to report fraud to the FTC
  
• Wire Transfer or Internet-Based Fraud (Cyber-Crime):  Contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center  - A partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center.
• Econsumer.gov
  This is where you can report international scams and learn about other steps you can take to combat fraud. Your complaints help consumer protection agencies around the world spot trends and work together to prevent international scams.
• IdentityTheft.gov
  This is the federal government's one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process.

Report Text Message Fraud

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Complaint Assistant
This U.S Government services is designed to streamline the complaint process for every type of fraud.  You can file a complaint online, print a copy and get expert advise on what you need to do.  Topics cover everything that falls within Rip-offs, Imposter Scams, Mobile Devices, Telephones, Internet Services, Online Shopping, Computers, Education, Jobs, Making Money, Credit, Debt, Robocalls, Unwanted Telemarketing, Text, and SPAM. Or call FTC Hotline at 877-701-9595

Report Fraud Incidents

Report fraud to www.ftc.gov   or call (888) 382-1222. The FTC wants the number and name that appeared on the caller ID as well as the time of day and the information talked about or heard in a recorded message. If you think you've been a victim of a vishing attack you can also contact, the Internet Crime Complaint Center .

Register your number with the National Do Not Call registry at donotcall.gov . Even though criminals and unscrupulous telemarketers may ignore the list, if you are on the list and get a call from a supposed telemarketer, that could be a tip that the offer is bogus. Most legitimate telemarketers obey the rules and laws about contacting consumers. Also, the Website provides a place where complaints can be filed.

File a complaint with the FCC if you receive an unwanted commercial email message sent to your mobile phone, an autodialed/prerecorded telephone voice message or an unwanted text message to your mobile phone. There is no charge for filing a complaint. Call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). For those outside the US, the following numbers can help out. In Canada report; vishing or phishing attempts online at the Reporting Economic Crime Online   government organization, or call 1-888-495-8501. In the UK, you should make your report directly to the bank indicated in the scam.

How to Report Spam Text Messages

If you get an unwanted text message, there are three ways to report it:

• Report it on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam.
• How to report spam or junk in the Messages app
• How to report spam on an Android phone
• Copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM).
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.

Report IRS Scams: 

• Report IRS Impersonation: https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
• Report to IRS: Report any incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 800-366-4484 or at http://www.tigta.gov
• I.D. Theft Issues: Contact IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490 to secure your tax account.

IRS Impersonation Scams

How Do the Scams Work?

• Con artists make unsolicited calls claiming to be IRS officials. They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill. They convince the victim to send cash, usually through a wire transfer or a prepaid debit card or gift card. They may also leave "urgent" callback requests through phone "robo-calls," or send a phishing email.
• Many phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the driver’s license of their victim if they don’t get the money.
• Scammers often alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use IRS employee titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use the victim’s name, address and other personal information to make the call sound official.
• Aggressive and threatening phone calls by criminals impersonating IRS agents remain a major threat to taxpayers, but variations of the IRS impersonation scam continue year-round and they tend to peak when scammers find prime opportunities to strike.

Stay alert to scams that use the IRS as a lure. Tax scams can happen any time of year, not just at tax time. For more information visit Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts on IRS.gov .

Report Investing Fraud

Before investing with a new broker or financial advisor, consider checking out the respective credentials at the following resources:

• Check Broker Credentials: www.brokercheck.finra.org
• Check Advisor Credentials: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
• Securities Helpline for Seniors: 1-844-574-3577
• Securities Fraud: Submit a Complaint to the Securities and Exchange Commision (SEC) or call the SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy (800) 732-0330. 
• Commodity Futures, Commodity Pools, Currencies, Options or Precious Metals:  Submit a Complaint to the CFTC or call the CFTC at (866) 366-2382. 

Crowdfunding

If you spot a crowdfunding scam, first report it to the crowdfunding platform. You may also want to let the social media platform know that you’ve spotted a scam on their network. Here are links to report to some of those companies:

• Kickstarter
• Indiegogo
• GoFundMe

• ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• The attorney general of the state in which the campaign organizer lives, if you know it, or where the business project is being developed, if the funds are raised for a business purpose
• If you spot a problem with a local charity listed on an online fundraising platform that serves your community, tell your state’s charities regulator .

Report Senior Fraud Reporting & Elder Abuse:

Call the police or 911 immediately if someone you know is in immediate, life-threatening danger. If you have been the victim of abuse, exploitation, or neglect, you are not alone. Many people care and can help. Please tell your doctor, a friend, or a family member you trust, or call the Adult Protective Services ( locate APS in your state ) program in your area. Relay your concerns to the local Adult Protective Services, Long-term Care Ombudsman, or police. If the danger is not immediate, but you suspect that abuse has occurred or is occurring, please tell someone.
You do not need to prove that abuse is occurring; it is up to the professionals to investigate the suspicions.  When making the call, be ready to give the name, address, and contact information of the person you suspect is abused or neglected, and details about why you are concerned. The professionals receiving your report are prohibited from releasing your information as reporter. They may not disclose your identity to the alleged abuser or victim.

• US Department of Health & Human Services - Find help in your state:  https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx  or by telephone at 1-800-677-1116. Specially trained operators will refer you to a local agency that can help. The Eldercare Locator is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
• National Center on Elder Abuse – Find help in your state: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
• National Adult Protective Services  – Find help in your state: www.napsa-now.org/
• National Center for Victims of Crime –  http://victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims
• How to Find a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program - http://theconsumervoice.org/get_help

Report Healthcare Fraud

• FDA — Find out where your complaint should go at www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/problem.html.

To report scams and suspicious activity involving Medicare:

• Online: oig.hhs.gov/fraud/hotline
• Phone: 1-800-447-8477 (1-800-HHS-TIPS)
• TTY: 1-800-377-4950
• Fax: 1-800-223-8164
• Misuse of personal information should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft hotline: Visit  ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-382-4357 (TTY: 1-866-653-4261).

To report fraud or abuse related to a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan:

• Medicare Drug Integrity Contractors (MEDICs)— Call 1-877-772-3379.

Financial Reporting Organizations

• Medical Information Bureau (MIB Group)
  Get a copy of your MIB consumer file containing information on medical conditions and treatment.

Report Mass Marketing Fraud

• Mass marketing and other types of fraud schemes are characterized by the use of false promises of cash prizes, services, goods, or good works in exchange for fees, donations, or purchases. Click here if you believe you have been a victim of mass marketing fraud.

Mail Fraud (including Foreign Lottery Scams):

Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigations Service Center

By Mail:

ATTN: Mail Fraud
433 West Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60699-3255

By Telephone: (877) 876-2455

Website:

www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov

Online Reporting Form:

ehome.uspis.gov/fcsexternal/default.aspx

Prepaid Cards

• AMEX - globalsecuritycommsquad@aexp.com 866-375-3684
• BLACKHAWK NETWORK - investigations@bhnetwork.com 855-257-2581
• GREEN DOT - Green Dot Law Enforcement Support Line: (888) 427-4399
  Green Dot Bank
  3465 East Foothill Blvd.
  Pasadena, CA 91107
  866-963-6235 (fax)
  
• InComm (Vanilla Card) - frauddepartment@incomm.com 866-362-9035
• META BANK - Fraud Review line 877-497-7499
  MetaBank
  5501 South Broadband Lane
  Sioux Falls, SD 57108
  605-977-0200 (fax)
• NETSPEND
  701 Brazos
  Austin, TX 78701
  512-532-8362 (fax)

Advocacy Organizations

• Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC)
  Acquire information, research, prevention tips, victim information guides, and other resources from this nonprofit organization. 
• National Do-Not-Call Registry
  Register your phone numbers, including wireless numbers, on the FCC's National Do-Not-Call Registry. 
• Direct Marketing Association Name Deletion List
  Add your name to the mail and email "name deletion lists" used nationwide by marketers. 
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
  Access additional identity theft resources, consumer information and other resources.

Lost Passport

Call the State Department at 1-877-487-2778 or TTY 1-888-874-7793. If you want to replace the passport, you have several options:

• If you are traveling within the next two weeks, make an appointment to apply in person at a Passport Agency or Center .
• If you are not traveling within two weeks, submit Form DS-11 (link is external) and DS-64 in person at an authorized Passport Application Acceptance Facility .

Lost Mobile Phone / Mobile Wallet

• If you are not certain whether your smartphone or mobile device has been stolen or if you have simply misplaced it, attempt to locate the smartphone by calling it or by using the security software's GPS locator. Even if you may have only lost the smartphone, you should remotely lock it to be safe.
• If you have installed security software on your smartphone, use it to lock the device, wipe sensitive personal information, and/or activate the alarm.
• Immediately report the theft or loss to your wireless carrier. You will typically be responsible for any charges incurred prior to when you report the stolen or lost smartphone. If you provide your carrier with the IMEI or MEID number, your carrier may be able to disable your smartphone, your mobile wallet services, and block access to your personal information and sensitive mobile wallet data. Request written confirmation from your carrier that you reported the smartphone as missing and that the smartphone was disabled.
• If your smartphone or mobile device was stolen, also immediately report the theft to the police, including the make and model, serial and IMEI or MEID number. Some carriers require proof that the smartphone was stolen, and a police report can provide that documentation.
• If you are unable to lock your stolen or lost smartphone, change all of your passwords for mobile wallet services and banking accounts that you have accessed using your smartphone service.

Fraud News & Alerts

Covid-19 Scams

Fake News & Hoaxes

Credit Bureaus

• Annual Credit Report
  Obtain your free annual credit through this official site or call (888) 567-8688.
• Direct Mail and Email: You may opt out of direct mail and email offers at this site.
• Opt Out of Pre-Approved Credit Offer
  Register with credit bureaus to permanently remove your name from pre-approved credit lists. 
• Internet Based Advertising - Opt out of website cookie collecting at this site.
• Equifax
  
• Experian
  
• TransUnion
  
• Dun & Bradstreet

Consumer Guides

• USPS - Know Your Rights
  A guide for victims and witnesses of crimes
• Fraud.org
  A project of the National Consumer League

Financial Reporting Organizations

• Medical Information Bureau (MIB Group)
  Get a copy of your MIB consumer file containing information on medical conditions and treatment.

Free Educational Guidebooks

• The United States Federal Trade Commission offers hundreds of FREE fraud prevention publications in multiple languages. The FTC site is intended for individuals and organizations who want to share resources with their communities. The FTC site offers booklets, tear sheet pads, flyer, toolkits, tri-fold brochures, wallet cards and lesson plans. CLICK HERE  to access the FTC web site and order your free guides provided by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Advocacy Organizations and Tools

• Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC)
  Acquire information, research, prevention tips, victim information guides, and other resources from this nonprofit organization. 
• National Do-Not-Call Registry
  Register your phone numbers, including wireless numbers, on the FCC's National Do-Not-Call Registry. 
• Direct Marketing Association Name Deletion List
  Add your name to the mail and email "name deletion lists" used nationwide by marketers. 
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
  Access additional identity theft resources, consumer information and other resources.

Legal Recources

• FindLaw
  Information about a specific legal topic
• CA Canadian Bar Association
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. American Bar Association
• U.S. Law Library of Congress
  Online sources of information on government & law by region, country or U.S. state.
• U.S. National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG)

Lost Online Account Logins / Passwords

• Log in to that account and change your password. If possible, also change your username.
• If you can’t log in, contact the company. Ask them how you can recover or shut down the account.
• If you use the same password anywhere else, change that, too. Learn more about password here
• Is it a financial site, or is your credit card number stored? Check your account for any charges that you don’t recognize.
• More Password Safety Tips

Online Account Safety

• How to protect online accounts
• What to do if an account is hacked
• How your data can be used by criminals
• Data breach advice for consumers
• Social media accounts

Lost Social Security Number

• If a company responsible for exposing your information offers you free credit monitoring, take advantage of it.
• Get your free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com . Check for any accounts or charges you don’t recognize.
• Consider placing a credit freeze . A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name.
• If you place a freeze, be ready to take a few extra steps the next time you apply for a new credit card or cell phone – or any service that requires a credit check.
• If you decide not to place a credit freeze, at least consider placing a fraud alert .
• Try to file your taxes early — before a scammer can. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Respond right away to letters from the IRS.
• Don’t believe anyone who calls and says you’ll be arrested unless you pay for taxes or debt — even if they have part or all of your Social Security number, or they say they’re from the IRS.
• Continue to check your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com . You can order a free report from each of the three credit reporting companies once a year.

Lost Debit / Credit Card Numbers

What to do if you suspect credit card fraud. For cards issued by a financial institution, contact your financial institution either by phone, web site, or mobile app. Your issuer may want to cancel your current card and issue you a new one. Check with your issuer to verify that your mailing address has not been changed.

If you still have your card but fraudulent purchases have been made, call your issuer to report the fraud and request a new card. Also, contact the credit bureaus to let them know that fraud has occurred. A "Fraud Alert" message will be placed on your file. You should also request a copy of your credit report and review it carefully.

• Contact your bank or credit card company to cancel your card and request a new one.
• Review your transactions regularly. Make sure no one misused your card.
• If you find fraudulent charges, call the fraud department and get them removed.
• If you have automatic payments set up, update them with your new card number.
• Check your credit report at annualcreditreport.com .

Payment Processors: You can also contact payment processors who will work with you in communicating with your financial institution or national card issuer.

• MASTERCARD - In the U.S. - 1-800-MASTERCARD (1-800-627-8372)
• VISA - Cardholders in the U.S and Canada can call Visa Global Customer Care Services at 1-800-847-2911. Outside US and Canada, cardholders can call collect using local operator 1-303-967-1096, or alternatively call your local toll-free number. For the hearing impaired, please call 1-800-TDD-1213 in the US or Canada or 1-305-278-4285 or 1-512-865-2002 in all other countries
• AMERICAN EXPRESS - In the U.S. 1-800-992-3404 (toll free). Outside the U.S. 1-336-393-1111 (collect)
• DISCOVER - Customer Service at 1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683)
• DINERS CLUB - Emergency Card Services at 1-800-234-6377

For cards issued by national credit card issuers, use the number below to get assistance.

• Bank Of America - 1-800-732-9194
• Barclays - 1-877-523-0478
• Capital One - 1-800-427-9428, 1-800-239-7054
• - 1-800-432-3137 (Personal Credit Cards)  1-888-269-8690 (Business Credit Cards)
• Citi - 1-800-950-5114
• USAA - 1-800-531-8722

Child Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

• Request a credit freeze for your child — if this service is available in your state . A credit freeze will make it difficult for someone to use your child’s information to open accounts. To place a freeze, follow the specific instructions for each credit bureau:
• Equifax
• Experian
Transunion
• No matter what state you live in, you can check to see if your child has a credit report. Each bureau has specific instructions for these requests:
• Equifax
• Experian
• Transunion
• If a credit bureau has a credit report for your child, the credit bureau will send you a copy of the report. Use the instructions provided with the credit report to remove fraudulent accounts.
• Review the FTC's information on Child Identity Theft .

Verify Online Job Opportunities

If you’re looking for a job, you may see ads for firms that promise results. Unfortunately, some job placement firms misrepresent their services, promote nonexistent vacancies, or charge high fees in advance for services that don’t guarantee placement.

• Search here for job listings to verify that an employment opportunity is legitimate.  

Ransomware Decryption Keys List

To help you determine the type of ransomware affecting your device, here are two sites that will to analyze your ransomware and will provide you with the link to download the decryption solution if available.

• Crypto Sheriff
• Malware Hunter

Verify Employment Opportunities

If you’re looking for a job, you may see ads for firms that promise results. Unfortunately, some job placement firms misrepresent their services, promote nonexistent vacancies, or charge high fees in advance for services that don’t guarantee placement.

• Search here for job listings to verify that an employment opportunity is legitimate.  

ID Theft - What to do right away

ID Theft - What to do next

Tax I.D. Theft

Fraud News & Alerts