Resources and definitions
First, what is Internet Fraud? This is a broad topic. Here are a few helpful links.
Internet Crime
Complaint Centers (i3C) definition here.
(Link to
Wikipedia’s definition of Internet Fraud is here. (Link to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_fraud)
Since part of a scam often involves the mail, here is a Wikipedia definition of Mail Fraud.
Getting Help:
The best resource
for trying to resolve a dispute, or calling attention to the
unscrupulous is the BBB. You
can file a complain here.
(Link to
The Internet Crime Complaint Center. This is a partnership between the FBI & National white collar crime center and the bureau of Justice. They make it easy to file an online complaint if you think you have been victimized. (Link to http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx)
Police.
For internet fraud, the police can’t do much more than file a
complaint for cross state internet fraud, but it is worth a call.
Try both your local police as well as the police department
where the person or business is located.
Filing a complaint allows the police to at least be aware of
a problem.
Looks too
good to be true.com – Good information.
More helpful Before you are scammed than after.
(Link to
Contact the
business hosting the site in question.
My particular scoundrel is hosted by
I decided not to contact lunarpages as they only provide cheap hosting for Mr. Pike. If they kicked him out, he would just pop up elsewhere.
If you the offender cashed one of your checks, get a copy. The offenders bank will be on the back. It is good to have if you need to prove a criminal or civil case. It also doesn’t hurt to bring fraud to the banks attention.
Keep documentation. This includes e-mails, letters, cashed checks, and a record of phone calls.
Last resort . . . Court.
If you have any other hints, or suggestions, please e-mail them to info@internetscoundrels.com.