How do I file a complaint against a fake website?

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).
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How do I report a fake website?

Report the website to the FTC.

To report a site to the FTC, go the reportfraud.ftc.gov. Then, click Report Now and follow the on-screen instructions. Alternatively, you can contact local law enforcement agencies. They have up-to-date information about whether or not it is a federal crime or a state crime.
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Can I get my money back if a website scammed me?

If you've bought something from a scammer

If you've paid for something you haven't received, you might be able to get your money back. Your card provider can ask the seller's bank to refund the money. This is known as the 'chargeback scheme'. If you paid by debit card, you can use chargeback however much you paid.
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What can you do if you get scammed online?

If you've been victimized by an online retail scam, file a report with the FTC and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. The FTC website also has advice on safe online shopping. Report fishy e-shopping operations to the BBB Scam Tracker, which also lets your search for scams in your region.
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How do I report a website to the FTC?

The Federal Trade Commission has launched a new website, ReportFraud.ftc.gov, where consumers can easily report fraud and all other consumer issues directly to the FTC.
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How to complain Cyber Fraud



Does filing a complaint with the FTC do anything?

The FTC cannot resolve individual complaints, but it can provide information about what steps to take. The FTC says that complaints can help it and its law enforcement partners detect patterns of fraud and abuse, which may lead to investigations and stopping unfair business practices.
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Does reporting to the FTC do anything?

The power of ReportFraud.ftc.gov

We can't resolve your individual report, but we use reports to investigate and bring cases against fraud, scams, and bad business practices.
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How do I get my money back from a fake website?

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.
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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.
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How do I recover from being scammed?

Consider filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. If you've been a victim of fraud, identity theft or deceptive business practices, filing a consumer complaint with the FTC may be a good option for you to potentially recover money from a scammer.
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Can the FTC get my money back?

The FTC enforces consumer protection laws to stop illegal business practices and get refunds to people who lost money.
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How can I report a scammer to the FBI?

Report Threats and Federal Crimes
  1. Fill out our Online Tips and Public Leads form at tips.fbi.gov.
  2. Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)
  3. Contact your local field office or closest international office.
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Can I report a website to Google?

You can report abusive content on websites created with Google Sites and hosted in Google Drive. Some violations of our program policies include: Spam, malware, phishing. Copyright.
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What type of complaints does the FTC handle?

We collect complaints about hundreds of issues from data security and false advertising to identity theft and Do Not Call violations. We use these complaints to bring cases, and we share them with law enforcement agencies worldwide for follow-up.
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How do I report a website on Google Chrome?

Report an issue or send feedback on Chrome
  1. On your computer, open Chrome.
  2. At the top right, click More .
  3. Click Help. ...
  4. Add details, including steps to help us recreate the issue you're experiencing.
  5. Choose if you want to include more information in your report, like a web address, your email address, or a screenshot.
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How did a scammer get my number?

Social media, web search, and directories on the web

Phone numbers are spread across many social media platforms, websites, and phone directories around the Internet. To glean phone numbers from the web, fraudsters use various techniques, such as web-scraping.
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Can I report a scammer to the bank?

Report Banking Scams

Report fake checks you receive by mail to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Report counterfeit checks to the Federal Trade Commission, either online, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357. Contact your bank to report and stop unauthorized automatic withdrawals from your account.
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How long do FTC investigations take?

How long does it take for the FTC to respond to a FOIA request? Our goal is to respond within the timeframe outlined in the Freedom of Information Act, which is twenty working days, or approximately one month, but this may vary with the complexity of the request.
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What does the FTC actually do?

The basic statute enforced by the FTC, Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, empowers the agency to investigate and prevent unfair methods of competition, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices affecting commerce. This creates the Agency's two primary missions: protecting competition and protecting consumers.
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What happens when you file a complaint with IC3?

After you file a complaint with the IC3, the information is reviewed by an analyst and forwarded to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies with jurisdiction, as appropriate.
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How do you raise a consumer complaint?

A dissatisfied consumer can file a complaint directly with the national commission or appeal against decisions of the state commission within a month from the date of the order. The court fee is Rs 5,000 and the demand draft should be in the name of The Registrar, National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
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What are 5 government agencies that protect consumers?

  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) This regulatory agency's purpose is to protect consumers from deceptive financial products. ...
  • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ...
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ...
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ...
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
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What is the best way to report a website?

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.
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Can you take down a website?

A business can shutter an unproductive online store. However, if you do not own a website, the only way to shut it down is to appeal to the owner, complain to the Web hosting provider, or report the site to law enforcement because it contains illegal content.
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Is the FBI watching me?

That said, the FBI is most likely not spying on you through your webcam. "As a society, we should be concerned about the increasing amount of surveillance and loss of privacy that we're experiencing," she notes.
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