how to report a scammer to attorney general

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.

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How do I report a scam or scammer?

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. File Anonymously: If you would like to remain anonymous, simply write "anonymous" in the required fields. If you do not wish to submit a phone number, write "000-000-0000."

How do I write a description of a scammer?

Describe events in the order in which they happened, and provide any other information you have about the Scammer (address, other phone numbers, alternative names, etc).

What should you do if you’re a victim of a scam?

If you lost money or other possessions in a scam, report it to your local police too. 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.

How do I report fraud in the US?

Report Fraud. General Fraud and Other Criminal Matters Contact the FBI at (202) 324-3000, or online at www.fbi.gov or tips.fbi.gov. Health Care Fraud, Medicare/Medicaid Fraud, and Related Matters Contact the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS, or online at www.oig.hhs.gov. Internet...

Can you report someone who has scammed you?

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: Phone calls.

Can I anonymously report a scammer?

You may remain anonymous. You may visit http://www.lacontroller.org/fraud_hotline to report an issue or call 1-866-428-1514 toll free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How do you prosecute a scammer?

Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP, 1-877-ID-THEFT, or online at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/?orgcode=TFMICF. 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.

Is scamming a federal crime?

Wire fraud is a federal crime that involves any scheme to defraud another person or party by means of electronic communication. It can take many forms including telemarketing fraud, internet scams, phishing, or fraudulent schemes that use television or radio.

Can I report a scammer to the police?

Report the incident to the classified site immediately, sending them as much information as possible about the ad in question as possible. They can retrieve and store information to pass on to the police. Report the incident to your local police station so that they can open a case.

What can you do if you get scammed?

You Think You've Been Scammed. Now What?STOP CONTACT WITH THE SCAMMER. Hang up the phone. ... SECURE YOUR FINANCES.CHECK YOUR COMPUTER. ... CHANGE YOUR ACCOUNT PASSWORDS. ... REPORT THE SCAM.

How do I get my money back from a scammer?

Contact the company or bank that issued the credit card or debit card. Tell them it was a fraudulent charge. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.

What is the punishment for scamming?

Online Fraud, Hacking and Phishing in California The maximum fine required may range from $1,000 to $10,000. Most online fraud or cyber crimes are known as “wobblers;” they may be punished as either misdemeanors or felonies. The term of imprisonment may be served in county jail for up to three years.

How do I get my money back after being cheated?

Recall request. “The first course of action should always be for the victim to contact bank, inform them that the transaction was fraudulent and urge them to make a recall request on their dedicated bank-to-bank communication system to the beneficiary bank abroad,” he said. They should also alert the police.

How can I report a scammer to the FBI?

Report Threats and Federal CrimesFill out our Online Tips and Public Leads form at tips.fbi.gov.Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)Contact your local field office or closest international office.

Can you get in trouble for scamming a scammer?

The FTC investigates and prosecutes cases involving a wide range of online fraud, including identity theft, fake sweepstakes, credit scams, and more. The perpetrators of online scams are often charged with federal wire fraud crimes.

What are the three types of frauds?

The 3 Main Types of FraudAsset misappropriation.Bribery and corruption.Financial statement deception.

How to tell if a scam is a scam?

Below are common warning signs of a mail scam: 1 A claim that you have been specially selected 2 A request that you “confirm your personal information” 3 A request for payment by means other than credit card – including cash, gift card, wire transfer or private courier 4 Use of suspicious official-looking documents or fake government seals 5 A request for your credit card or other payment mechanism for “shipping and handling” 6 Use of threats if you don’t comply – even the threat of arrest

What is the goal of a scam?

Regardless of their message, the goal of a mail scam is to get you to either send money or provide your personal information. Below are common warning signs of a mail scam: A claim that you have been specially selected. A request that you “confirm your personal information”.

How to remove yourself from mailing list?

To do so, register with the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service. There is a processing fee of $5 to remove yourself for a period of five years.

What to do if credit card companies send random checks?

If any of your credit card companies send random-issue convenience checks, request in writing to be removed from that mailing list.

What is a shipping and handling request?

A request for your credit card or other payment mechanism for “shipping and handling”

What is a confirmation request?

A request that you “confirm your personal information”

Is junk mail a scam?

Learn more about tactics used by all scammers on our How to Spot and Avoid Common Scams page. Although not all junk mail is a scam, you can be proactive about decreasing junk mail in order to reduce your risk of being scammed.

What do scammers promise?

Scammers may promise you some kind of benefit: a loan, a prize like a foreign lottery, a government grant, an inheritance, an opportunity to work from home, or more. The catch is, they want payment up front before you can receive your benefit. Sometimes they will ask for a payment by wire transfer, online payment, or even gift cards.

How do scammers convince you to be a grandparent?

They convince you by disguising their voice, showing a familiar phone number on your caller ID using a practice called “spoofing”, and using information available on the Internet. For instance, they say they may sound different because they are crying, sick, or injured. They reference specific names of family members or locations to make their story seem plausible. Then, they try to keep you from confirming their story by begging you not to tell anyone since they are embarrassed or scared in their situation.

What to do if you get a door to door offer?

Beware of unsolicited door-to-door home improvement offers. If it is a one-time offer—"available only today!"—or a special deal on materials left over from another job, be very cautious. If your home needs repairs, your best bet is to call a few home repair companies in your area and then check their references.

Why do scammers demand payment on fake debts?

Scammers will demand payment on fake debts because a few people will be scared into paying. Real, legitimate creditors will be able to produce proof that a debt exists in the first place. If the debt is real and you weren't aware of it, you may be the victim of identity theft. Learn more about Debt Collection Scams.

What to do if someone asks for your personal information?

If someone calls, texts, emails, or mails you asking for your personal information—e.g., social security number, credit card number, bank account info, passwords— DO NOT GIVE IT TO THEM. Even if they appear to be a known company or claim to be from a trusted source, they may be scamming you in order to steal your identity or money. This is known as phishing. Make sure to carefully consider whether the link you have been sent is authentic. You may want to independently reach out to the business or agency on your own terms using a known phone or website instead of accepting the unsolicited contact. Most legitimate companies will not contact you this way asking for personal information.

What is Nigerian fraud?

Sometimes known as Nigerian Fraud, a "government minister" (or his widow), a lawyer representing a deceased client from a foreign country, or a business owner wants to deposit money from a foreign country in your bank account. There are many variations on the same theme but they all have a similar catch.

How to confirm someone is who they say?

To confirm they are who they say, consider asking specific personal questions that would be difficult to know from the Internet or social media about you or your family. Or even better, use contact information you know for that person to reach out to them separately to confirm the story, or that of their family members.

Where to contact the FBI about disaster fraud?

National Center for Disaster Fraud. Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909. General Fraud and Other Criminal Matters. Contact the FBI at (202) 324-3000, or online at www.fbi.gov or tips.fbi.gov. Health Care Fraud, Medicare/Medicaid Fraud, and Related Matters. Contact the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General ...

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.

How to contact the FTC?

Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP, 1-877-ID-THEFT , or online at www.ftc.gov. 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:

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.

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

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