Report the Scam

Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission is the nation’s consumer protection agency. The FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection works for the consumer to prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices in the marketplace.  The Bureau conducts investigations, sues companies and people who violate the law, develops rules to protect consumers, and educates consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities. The Bureau also collects complaints about consumer fraud and identity theft and makes them available to law enforcement agencies across the country.

This is a Federal office, and compiles and maintains  a large database of all it’s complaints.  If you’ve been scammed or deceived, this office will also accept your complaint via it’s online complaint assistant.

Attorney General’s Office by State

At the State level, the Attorney General’s Office is charged with the task of protecting it’s state’s consumers against telemarketing scams or identity theft, fighting for civil rights, monitoring charitable organizations and protecting consumers from deceptive advertising or other unfair business practices.  This should be one of the first offices in which you file a complaint if you have been scammed or deceived by a company.

Most all of the State’s Attorney General’s Offices have a complaint form accessible on their website.  Be sure to file your complaint in detail and look for confirmation letters an/or emails in the weeks and even months following your complaint.  If your complaint is too large or too detailed, you may wish to contact the office directly to have your complaint mailed or faxed.