{"id":383,"date":"2020-10-06T11:08:49","date_gmt":"2020-10-06T11:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fraud.flywheelsites.com\/?page_id=383"},"modified":"2020-10-30T11:50:51","modified_gmt":"2020-10-30T11:50:51","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/about-us\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-kfff1mue-75e3fac710c20c5b684acbdd8733a89f\">\n.avia-section.av-kfff1mue-75e3fac710c20c5b684acbdd8733a89f{\nbackground-repeat:no-repeat;\nbackground-image:url(https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/urban-438393_1920.jpg);\nbackground-position:center center;\nbackground-attachment:scroll;\n}\n.avia-section.av-kfff1mue-75e3fac710c20c5b684acbdd8733a89f .av-section-color-overlay{\nopacity:0.5;\nbackground-color:#000000;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section av-kfff1mue-75e3fac710c20c5b684acbdd8733a89f main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-first  avia-bg-style-scroll av-section-color-overlay-active  av-minimum-height av-minimum-height-50  container_wrap sidebar_right'  data-section-bg-repeat='no-repeat' data-av_minimum_height_pc='50'><div class='av-section-color-overlay-wrap'><div class=\"av-section-color-overlay\"><\/div><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-383'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-kfxunoxl-176e0083e0fd16808a1fbcb350815a60\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-kfxunoxl-176e0083e0fd16808a1fbcb350815a60{\npadding-bottom:10px;\ncolor:#ffffff;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-kfxunoxl-176e0083e0fd16808a1fbcb350815a60 .special-heading-inner-border{\nborder-color:#ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-kfxunoxl-176e0083e0fd16808a1fbcb350815a60 av-special-heading-h3 custom-color-heading blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-1  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border'><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/main><!-- close content main element --><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id='after_section_1'  class='main_color av_default_container_wrap container_wrap sidebar_right'  ><div class='container av-section-cont-open' ><div class='template-page content  av-content-small alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-383'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-9ig0x-8f28989b030b6ccaf4227e6e31a67481\">\n#top .flex_column.av-9ig0x-8f28989b030b6ccaf4227e6e31a67481{\nmargin-top:0px;\nmargin-bottom:0px;\nborder-radius:0px;\n-webkit-border-radius:0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px;\npadding:0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-9ig0x-8f28989b030b6ccaf4227e6e31a67481 av_one_full  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_section  el_before_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-first  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding '   ><p><br \/>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-kfgrq8u6-bfe423cea2120db27e9ce6b01bf287cf\">\n.hr.av-kfgrq8u6-bfe423cea2120db27e9ce6b01bf287cf{\nmargin-top:10px;\nmargin-bottom:30px;\n}\n.hr.av-kfgrq8u6-bfe423cea2120db27e9ce6b01bf287cf .hr-inner{\nwidth:100%;\nborder-color:#6ea6bd;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='hr av-kfgrq8u6-bfe423cea2120db27e9ce6b01bf287cf hr-custom  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_codeblock  avia-builder-el-last  hr-center hr-icon-no '><span class='hr-inner inner-border-av-border-fat'><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"style-css-av-330sjz-18908bea8b6f116204a7e3a75e43824a\">\n#top .flex_column.av-330sjz-18908bea8b6f116204a7e3a75e43824a{\nmargin-top:0px;\nmargin-bottom:0px;\nborder-radius:0px;\n-webkit-border-radius:0px;\n-moz-border-radius:0px;\npadding:0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class='flex_column av-330sjz-18908bea8b6f116204a7e3a75e43824a av_one_full  avia-builder-el-5  el_after_av_one_full  avia-builder-el-last  first flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding column-top-margin'   ><div  class='togglecontainer av-kgg7e9fq-d960987d8911ffe1e78bfa948355586b av-minimal-toggle  avia-builder-el-6  avia-builder-el-no-sibling  accordion-section toggle_close_all ' >\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-esrb3-83abbd74b62529ec12c6ee5f8085ada5'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-1' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-1'>What does Fraud.org do?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-1' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Our mission is to give consumers the information they need to avoid becoming victims of telemarketing and Internet fraud and to help them get their complaints to law enforcement agencies quickly and easily.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-2vnejj-e4475da1e00148f9428395c67c67c3c6'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-2' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-2'>Is Fraud.org a government agency?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-2' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>No, Fraud.org is operated by the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nclnet.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Consumers League<\/a>, America\u2019s oldest nonprofit consumer organization.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-2od6q7-ed37cdbb6c3d27623d93200a4c2ddd48'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-3' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-3'>How do I file a complaint?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-3' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><a href=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/complaint\">Fill out and submit<\/a>\u00a0the online fraud report form.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-2ibyif-1b959c84cb9c84abcf57079da1bcf9ae'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-4' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-4'>What if my complaint isn\u2019t about telemarketing or Internet fraud?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-4' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Contact your state or local consumer protection office for advice about where to direct your complaint.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-uqrz-3558f140519fc930c42fa5ee5fe8b08e'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-5' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-5'>What information do I need to make a complaint?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-5' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The more information you provide, the more law enforcement agencies have to work with.<strong>Please have the information at hand when you fill out the online fraud report form.<\/strong>\u00a0The form requires the name of the seller or company involved. Your contact information is also required. We do not accept anonymous complaints. It isn\u2019t necessary to have lost money to report a suspected scam, but if you did, the way that you paid and how you sent your payment is important information. In the description section of the form, explain exactly what happened, just as you would if you were telling the story to a friend. Be sure to provide any details that were not captured in other parts of the form.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-26n4tj-c7d080bcbc836d1121a0b085bc44f005'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-6' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-6'>I\u2019m a seller and a buyer has ripped me off. Can I complain to Fraud.org?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-6' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>No, but we do take reports about some business-to-business scams. See the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/learn\/business-fraud\">Scams Against Businesses<\/a>\u00a0section of the Web site for more information.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-23ure7-a61fb8559b0ae3f2e1e07d1651e5b399'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-7' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-7'>How do I know that Fraud.org received my complaint?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-7' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Consumers who file a complaint via our\u00a0<a title=\"Link to Fraud.org online complaint form\" href=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/complaint\">online complaint<\/a>\u00a0form will receive a notification of the successful submission of their complaint when the complaint is submitted. A NCL staff member may contact you if there are questions about your complaint.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-1xla3z-1ea6dce408d126e9b13399e5d036533d'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-8' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-8'>Can I add more information to my complaint after I submit it?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-8' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>No. The information goes to law enforcement agencies too quickly. If an agency is interested in the problem and contacts you, you can supply additional information at that time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-1tarlz-364e9ba34c21be10a8b2f756e8e7710d'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-9' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-9'>Why do you ask for my year of birth?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-9' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Tracking what types of telemarketing and Internet scams are aimed at specific age groups helps the National Consumers League educate people about the fraudulent schemes they are most likely to encounter. Law enforcement agencies also need this information since the penalties that fraudulent companies face may depend on the ages of their victims.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-k6dj-36bd6ec574712aa95cd74164df656c95'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-10' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-10'>What happens with my complaint?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-10' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>The information you provide is automatically sent by electronic means to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. They will handle it just as if you had contacted them directly. Since most agencies cannot take legal action on every individual complaint, they look for patterns of fraud. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to report it. We can\u2019t make any guarantees about what will happen, but we know that the information that consumers provide is essential for stopping fraud. Since we do not conduct the investigations, we cannot give you a status report. If an agency wants more information or has something to tell you, it will contact you directly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-5bqav-3b04c2f5a42b4553e314d657aa978d87'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-11' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-11'>How can I get my money back?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-11' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>If law enforcement agencies take legal action, they try to recover victims\u2019 money, but it\u2019s not always possible. If you paid with a credit card or the money was debited from your bank account, you may be able to dispute the charges or debit. Contact your credit card issuer or bank immediately. If the charge was on your telephone bill, contact the company that sent you the bill to find out how you can dispute the charge. Some online auction sites have insurance that covers at least a portion of the loss in auction transactions. Read the terms and conditions of the insurance carefully before you bid.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-4oh3z-e7ecf2b5700ff9fc6a83758658300346'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-12' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-12'>Can I check with Fraud.org about a seller or company?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-12' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>It\u2019s a good idea to check the track record of someone you\u2019re considering doing business with, but keep in mind that no complaints is no guaranty. Sometimes it takes a while for consumers to report problems, and fraudulent operators often move around or change their names. But a track record of unresolved complaints can be a danger sign of fraud. Because we don\u2019t investigate consumers\u2019 complaints ourselves, Fraud.org does not provide information to the public about specific sellers or companies that have been reported to us. Information may be available from the consumer agency and the Better Business Bureau in the area where you live and where the company is located. Check on national charities through the BBB\u2019s Wise Giving Alliance. Your state securities regulator is a good place to go for information about investment companies. Some online auction sites have feedback forums where people can report about their experiences with others.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-41xdr-064c398d3a8969377a8772196f95c5ee'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-13' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-13'>How can I tell if something might be a scam?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-13' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>In the other &#8220;Learn About Scams&#8221; sections, Fraud.org provides tips about telemarketing and Internet scams to help you determine whether something might be fraudulent. There is also special information about fraud against seniors and scams against businesses. In addition, there is a section on the Web site about counterfeit drugs. It\u2019s probably a scam if someone:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Makes an offer that sounds too good to be true;<\/li>\n<li>Promises that you can win money, make money, or borrow money easily;<\/li>\n<li>Asks for money to enter a contest, win a sweepstakes or lottery, or claim a prize;<\/li>\n<li>Refuses to send you written information before you agree to buy or donate;<\/li>\n<li>Refuses to give you a physical address;<\/li>\n<li>Refuses to give you the details of the offer before you make any payment;<\/li>\n<li>Requests your bank account or credit card number when you are not making a purchase with that account;<\/li>\n<li>Uses scare tactics or pressure to act immediately;<\/li>\n<li>Insists that you wire money or have a courier pick up your payment;<\/li>\n<li>Refuses to stop calling after you\u2019ve asked not to be called again;<\/li>\n<li>Contacts you to ask for personal information the company already has.<\/li>\n<li>Gives you a check or money order and asks you to send some of the money somewhere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-x0td3-1d3df74a1e7e0a4b0d967aa969b2c28f'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-14' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-14'>What if I report something and it turns out not to be a scam?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-14' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Since Fraud.org does not make the information you provide publicly available, there is no harm in reporting something if you suspect it\u2019s a scam but you\u2019re not sure. Law enforcement agencies usually take legal action based on patterns of fraud, not one complaint, and only after investigating. Even if your problem is resolved after you reported it, the information can still be helpful to law enforcement agencies. It is not possible to withdraw a complaint from our system once it has been submitted.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-s0pkf-4a8729ad5f3c62780d9aa4c402b94400'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-15' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-15'>Can I get a lawyer and sue the seller or company?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-15' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Depending on the amount of money you lost, you may be able to sue in Small Claims Court. This does not require an attorney and the filing costs are very low. Contact your local District Court for more information. If you need an attorney, you can find one to consult for free or a low fee through your county or state Bar Association. Because fraudulent companies are usually located in another state, or even another country, and considering the relatively small amount of loss (though it may be large to you), you may find that it is too costly and impractical to sue. Even if you do get a judgment in your favor, it could be difficult to collect.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-mq8bb-b3bfb10213e8eae5ecdb372061377311'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-16' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-16'>How do I know if someone who says they want to help me is legitimate?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-16' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>If someone calls you from a law enforcement agency and you have any doubts about them, ask for their name, the agency name, the address, and the telephone number, and tell them you\u2019ll call back. Then get the telephone number for the agency from directory assistance or the Internet and call to confirm the person\u2019s identity. Beware of any request for money \u2013 law enforcement agencies don\u2019t ask for payment to help consumers, nor would they ask you for taxes or customs charges. Beware of \u201crecovery services\u201d that guarantee to get your money back for a fee, or someone claiming to be with a court or lawyer\u2019s office who contacts you unsolicited and asks you to pay a fee to get money that is coming to you. These are common scams.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-f6u93-9cb8198d095411ab497f9e8519544d2d'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-17' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-17'>Someone I know is a victim of telemarketing or Internet fraud. What can I do?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-17' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Encourage the person to report the fraud and help them gather the necessary information. If the person is embarrassed about the problem, it might be easier for them to make a complaint online than by telephone. Or if you have the person\u2019s permission, you can provide the information to Fraud.org. Never scold or ridicule fraud victims \u2013 remember that con artists are very skillful and anyone can be scammed. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fraud.org\/learn\/older-adult-fraud\">Fraud Against Older Adults<\/a>\u00a0section provides advice for family members and others who work with older victims of telemarketing fraud. Share the information you have learned about how to recognize the danger signs of fraud so the person can avoid it in the future. Be aware that once people are victimized, they are more likely to be targeted again by fraudulent operators, so you may want to warn them and keep in touch.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class='av_toggle_section av-afsuf-6d98f76e958d707fd7808ec2ab532ed2'  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div role=\"tablist\" class=\"single_toggle\" data-tags=\"{All} \"  ><p data-fake-id='#toggle-id-18' class='toggler   '  itemprop=\"headline\"  role='tab' tabindex='0' aria-controls='toggle-id-18'>I think I\u2019m a victim of identity theft. Can I report that to Fraud.org?<span class=\"toggle_icon\"><span class=\"vert_icon\"><\/span><span class=\"hor_icon\"><\/span><\/span><\/p><div id='toggle-id-18' class='toggle_wrap  '  ><div class='toggle_content invers-color '  itemprop=\"text\" ><p>Congress instructed the Federal Trade Commission to create a special clearinghouse for reports about identity theft. Call 877-ID-THEFT or use the ID theft report form on the FTC&#8217;s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/bcp\/edu\/microsites\/idtheft2012\/\">Identity Theft Website.<\/a>\u00a0You will also receive a booklet from the FTC with step-by-step instructions on what to do to clear your name. The National Consumers League offers advice about how to avoid becoming an ID theft victim.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":310,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/383"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=383"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":484,"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/383\/revisions\/484"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fraud.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}