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The Internet Fraud Complaint Center, a partnership between the FBI and
the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), in April 2002 released
information about victims' complaints received and referred to law enforcement
regarding Internet Fraud. The findings span January 1, 2001, through December
31, 2001, the IFCC's first full year of operation.
Results
Non-deliverable merchandise and non-payment accounted for 20.3 percent
of complaints and Nigerian Letter fraud made up nearly 15.5 percent of
complaints. Credit/debit card fraud was also among the top categories
of complaints.
"Fraud committed via the Internet makes investigation and prosecution
difficult because the offender and victim may be located thousands of
miles apart. This borderless phenomena is a unique characteristic of Internet
crime and is not found with many other types of traditional crime,"
said Thomas Richardson, Deputy Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative
Division of the FBI.
Listed below are tips to protect yourself and your family from various
forms of Internet fraud:
Internet Auction Fraud
Non-Delivery of Merchandise
Credit Card Fraud
Investment Fraud
Business Fraud
Nigerian Letter Scam
| Internet Auction Fraud |
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- Understand as much as possible about how the auction works,
what your obligations are as a buyer, and what the seller’s obligations
are before you bid.
- Find out what actions the web site/company takes if a problem
occurs and consider insuring the transaction and shipment.
- Learn as much as possible about the seller, especially if the
only information you have is an e-mail address. If it is a business,
check the Better Business Bureau where the seller/business is
located.
- Examine the feedback on the seller.
- Determine what method of payment the seller is asking from the
buyer and where he/she is asking to send payment.
- If a problem occurs with the auction transaction, it could be
much more difficult if the seller is located outside the US because
of the difference in laws.
- Ask the seller about when delivery can be expected and if there
is a problem with the merchandise is it covered by a warranty
or can you exchange it.
- Find out if shipping and delivery are included in the auction
price or are additional costs so there are no unexpected costs.
- There should be no reason to give out your social security number
or drivers license number to the seller.
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| Non-Delivery of Merchandise |
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- Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
- Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that
they are legitimate.
- Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office
box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is
correct and working.
- Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address
and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit
card wasn’t required to open the account.
- Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with
this type of information.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area.
- Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
- Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
- Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through
unsolicited e-mail).
- Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside
your own country.
- Inquire about returns and warranties.
- The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit
card because you can often dispute the charges if something is
wrong.
- Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically
send your credit card numbers.
- Consider utilizing an escrow or alternate payment service.
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| Credit Card Fraud |
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- Don't give out your credit card number(s) online unless the
site is a secure and reputable site. Sometimes a tiny icon of
a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit
data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but might
provide you some assurance.
- Don't trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
- Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software
it uses.
- Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
- Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that
they are legitimate.
- Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office
box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is
correct and working.
- Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address
and be wary of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit
card wasn’t required to open the account.
- Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with
this type of information.
- Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area.
- Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
- Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
- Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through
unsolicited e-mail).
- Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside
your own country.
- The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit
card because you can often dispute the charges if something is
wrong.
- Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically
send your credit card numbers.
- You should also keep a list of all your credit cards and account
information along with the card issuer’s contact information.
If anything looks suspicious or you lose your credit card(s) you
should contact the card issuer immediately.
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| Investment Fraud |
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- Don't invest in anything based on appearances. Just because
an individual or company has a flashy web site doesn't mean it
is legitimate. Web sites can be created in just a few days. After
a short period of taking money, a site can vanish without a trace.
- Don’t invest in anything you are not absolutely sure about.
Do your homework on the investment to ensure that it is legitimate.
- Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that
they are legitimate.
- Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.
- Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.
- Be cautious when responding to special investment offers (especially
through unsolicited e-mail).
- Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside
your own country.
- Inquire about all the terms and conditions.
- If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
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Business Fraud
- Purchase merchandise from reputable dealers or establishments.
- Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office
box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is
correct and working.
- Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address
and be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a
credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
- Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with
this type of information.
- Purchase merchandise directly from the individual/company that
holds the trademark, copyright, or patent.
- Beware when responding to e-mail that may not have been sent
by a reputable company.
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Nigerian Letter Scam
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- Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as Nigerian
or foreign government officials asking for your help in placing
large sums of money in overseas bank accounts.
- Do not believe the promise of large sums of money for your cooperation.
- Guard your account information carefully.
The Nigerian Letter Scam
is described on the Common Fraud Schemes webpage.
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| Related Link: Internet
Fraud Complaint Center |
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