how to report a scam to attorney general

by Prof. Marietta Lynch II 6 min read

Anyone believing they have been the victim of a scam should contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808, the Eastern Panhandle Consumer Protection Office in Martinsburg at 304-267-0239 or visit the office online at www.wvago.gov. Copyright 2022 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved.

Full Answer

How do I report a scam to the government?

Please explain your complaint: Try to be brief, but be sure to tell WHAT happened, WHEN it happened, WHERE it happened HOW MANY time it happened. Be specific about any oral statements the Scammer made to you, ESPECIALLY those …

How do you write a complaint against a scammer?

File a fraud allegation report online » Call the DHS Fraud Hotline at 1-888-372-8301 (8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time) Fax your written complaint to 503-373-1525.

How do I identify a scam phone number?

Report a Scam - Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost About AG > Contact > Report a Scam Report a Scam If you are the victim of a scam and need help, please use the consumer complaint form. To report a scam you have seen, use the form below. Please include: Contact information for the business As much detail about the scam as possible

What do I do if I'm a victim of a scam?

Submit a Complaint. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General receives more than 50,000 complaints and referrals each year, which allows us to fight on your behalf. You can submit a complaint online or by printing out and sending a form into our office. The more information you provide, the better we can help you.

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Can you report a scam to the government?

You can report scams to the federal government. Your report may keep others from experiencing a scam. Government agencies use reports of scams to track scam patterns. They may even take legal action against a company or industry based on the reports.

Where to report a scammer?

Report a scam that happened with an online seller or a payment transfer system to the company’s fraud department. If you used your credit card or bank account to pay a scammer, report it to the card issuer or bank. Also report scams to the major credit reporting agencies.

What is the number to report a scam?

Report your scam online with the FTC complaint assistant, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET). The FTC accepts complaints about most scams, including these popular ones: Phone calls.

How to report a scam to the FTC?

Report your scam online with the FTC complaint assistant, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET). The FTC accepts complaints about most scams, including these popular ones: Phone calls. Emails. Computer support scams.

What is the phone number for the Attorney General?

If you have any questions, call our Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392. The Attorney General’s Consumer Hotline is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is staffed by dedicated volunteers who field more than 50,000 calls each year.

What is scam alert?

The Scam Alert Network provides up-to-the-minute information about scams, frauds and other threats to consumers. Click the link below and enter your email address to be added to the network. We won’t share your email address, and we’ll only send scam alerts.

Is Oregon a consumer complaint database?

Oregon’s Consumer Complaint Database » is built from consumer contacts since January 1, 2008 and is for information only. It may not offer a complete, accurate or comprehensive account of every incident. Several factors, including a company’s size and volume of transactions, may affect the likelihood of a complaint being filed.

What happens after a complaint is filed?

If the complaint falls under the DOJ’s jurisdiction, it will be assigned to an enforcement officer. The officer will send you further information, including a file number and a copy of the letter sent to the business that is the subject of the complaint .

How to contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud?

Disaster-Related Fraud. Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at ( 866) 720 - 5721, by fax at (225) 334-4707 or submit a complaint through the NCDF Web Complaint Form. Correspondence may be sent to: National Center for Disaster Fraud. Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909.

How to contact the Securities and Exchange Commission?

Contact the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330, or online at www.sec.gov or www.sec.gov/complaint/select.shtml. State and Local Fraud. Contact your local Police Department or State Attorney General's Office. Updated November 16, 2020.

What is the Fraud Section?

The Fraud Section conducts criminal prosecutions and cannot provide legal advice to citizens. If you would like to report fraud, please contact the appropriate investigative agency as follows: Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft.

What do scammers do?

Some scammers pretend to be your bank or a government agency to "phish" for your personal information. They ask you to update or confirm your account by submitting your bank account number, password, or Social Security number. Never respond to unexpected requests for your personal information.

Is it a scam to send a check?

If you are selling something online and someone sends a check for more than the asking price, it usually is a scam. Don’t send money or the item you are selling before you are sure it’s not a scam. Don’t wire-transfer money to a stranger. Help protect yourself by using a secure website to purchase items online.

Can scam artists trick you into paying for a loan?

Scam artists can trick you into paying money to qualify for a loan or credit card. Despite their guarantees, you do not receive a loan, credit card, or any money. Never pay money to qualify for a loan, credit card, or grant.

What does it mean when a computer company says your computer has a virus?

An "employee" of a computer company contacts you claiming your computer has a virus and offers to "fix the problem." The person will likely ask you to allow them access to your computer, which then allows the scammer to install malicious software designed to scan your computer for personal information or to lock your computer so that you cannot use it until you pay the scammer "ransom" to unlock it.

Can a scammer lock your computer?

The person will likely ask you to allow them access to your computer, which then allows the scammer to install malicious software designed to scan your computer for personal information or to lock your computer so that you cannot use it until you pay the scammer "ransom" to unlock it.

What happens if someone sends you a check?

Someone sends you a check or money order, which you are asked to deposit in your account and wire-transfer the sender a portion of the money, minus a nice bonus for you as a "thank you" for helping out. Regardless of the pitch, the result is the same: The check or money order you receive is counterfeit.

How to contact Save the Dream Ohio?

They instruct you not to contact your lender directly. You may risk losing your money and your home. Contact Save the Dream Ohio at 888-404-4674 or www.savethedream.ohio.gov to be connected to a certified housing counselor or legal assistance.

What is IC3 reporting?

The IC3 gives the victims of cyber crime a convenient and. easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. For law enforcement and regulatory agencies at the federal, state, local and international level, IC3.

Where is the BBB system?

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) system in the U.S. extends across the nation; coast-to-coast, and in. Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico. Since the founding of the first BBB in 1912, the BBB system has proven. that the majority of marketplace problems can be solved fairly through the use of voluntary self-regulation.

Complain Online

First, choose the consumer complaint form that fits your problem. Next, enter the information into the form and submit it electronically. You can attach up to four supporting documents. Please copy and mail any additional supporting documents along with a printed copy of your complaint.

What to Include

Providing supporting documents helps us respond to your complaint more quickly. Include legible copies of supporting documents such as: Please submit copies of your supporting documents, not originals.

Complain by Mail

Due to circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 situation, we are not able to process hard copy complaints that are mailed in to us the same way we have in the past and request that consumers submit complaints to us via the online form or by calling our consumer assistance line at (919) 716-6000.

What happens to my complaint?

After we review your complaint and supporting documents, we will likely forward them to the business complained about for response. You’ll receive copies of all correspondence. If the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of another local, state, or federal agency, we may refer your complaint to that agency.

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Report Disaster and Emergency Scams

Report Most Common Scams

  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main agency that collects scam reports. Report the scam to the FTC online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357(9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET). The FTC accepts complaints about most scams, including these popular ones: 1. Phone calls 2. Emails 3. Computer support scams 4. Imposter scams 5. Fake checks 6. Demands for you t...
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Report Online and International Scams

  • Report fake websites, emails, malware, and other internet scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Some online scams start outside the United States. If you have been affected by an international scam, report it through econsumer.gov. Your report helps international consumer protection offices spot trends and prevent scams.
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Report IRS Or Social Security Imposter Scams

  • Scammers often pretend to work for the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Common signs include: 1. Robocalls 2. Threats of arrest or lawsuits 3. Demands for payments 4. Suspension of your social security number 5. Cancellation of your social security benefits Report Social Security imposters online to SSA’s Inspector General. Call 1-800-269-027…
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