Additional Victim Assistance

One way to reduce fraud crime is to report attempts or successful completions of fraud to the appropriate federal or state agencies. If you would like to file a complaint or receive information about the legitimacy of a business or individual, you may contact one of the agencies listed below. In addition, many of the agencies listed provide free publications or consumer alerts about fraudulent practices. However, this is only a partial list of such agencies. Please refer to your local telephone directory for other federal, state, or local agencies in charge of licensing, reporting, or investigation.

Licensing, Reporting, and Investigation

Federal Trade Commission ..............................(202) 326-2222

Public Reference Section

Division of Marketing Practices

600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 130

Washington, DC 20580

Internet address: http://www.ftc.gov

Provides information on ways to avoid consumer fraud.

Commodity Futures Trading Commission .........(202) 418-5000

3 Lafayette Center

1155 21st St., N.W.

Washington, DC 20581

Internet address: http://www.cftc.gov

Describes conduct that violates federal commodities law and offers a questionnaire form for reporting possible violations.

Securities and Exchange Commission .............(202) 942-7040

Public Information Office

450 Fifth St., N.W.

Washington, DC 20549

Internet address: http://www.sec.gov

Offers "Investor Alerts" announcing SEC enforcement actions and warnings about widespread fraud schemes.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service ......................(312) 983-7900

Fraud Complaints Section

433 West Harrison St.

Chicago, IL 60669-2201

Internet address: http://www.usps.gov/fyi/welcome.htm

Provides consumer protection information, files and investigates crimes involving the use of postal services, and provides information on mail-related complaints filed against businesses and individuals. The Internet site offers excellent descriptions of different types of fraud.

Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. .........(703) 276-0100

4200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 800

Arlington, VA 22203-1838

Internet address: http://www.bbb.org

Provides referrals to local Better Business Bureaus, along with information on services available.

National Hotlines

National Foundation for Consumer Credit ......(800) 388-2227

Internet address: http://www.imon.com/cccs

Offers free and confidential budget and debt counseling and debt management plans.

National Fraud Information Center ..................(800) 876-7060

Internet address: http://www.fraud.org

Takes reports of telemarketing and Internet fraud; refers those reports to law enforcement agencies; maintains a database on fraud schemes and reported crimes; and provides information on avoiding fraud.

National Futures Association ............................(800) 676-4632

Internet address: http://www.nfa.futures.org

Maintains the registry of professionals registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; serves as a clearinghouse for consumer complaints and federal regulatory action; and provides information about investing.

National Insurance Crime Bureau .....................(800) TEL-NICB

Internet address: http://www.nicb.org

Takes and investigates complaints of insurance fraud (excluding Medicare and Medicaid), including medical and vehicular. Also provides consumer protection information.

Online Public Education Network Project .........(800) 466-OPEN

(Project OPEN)

Internet address: http://isa.net/project-open/priv-broch.html

Offers the free brochure "Protecting Your Privacy When You Go Online" for consumers concerned about privacy in cyberspace.

Securities and Exchange Commission .................(800) SEC-0330

Consumer Hotline

Internet address: http://www.fedworld.gov

Maintains a registry of professionals registered with the SEC; provides information on complaints filed against investment firms and individuals and on federal regulatory actions; and provides consumer investment information.

U.S. Department of Health .................................(800) HHS-TIPS

and Human Services

Office of the Inspector General

Fraud Division

Internet address: http://www.os.dhhs.gov

Takes and investigates reports involving Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, home health care, Food and Drug Administration, welfare, food stamps, and other programs administered by HHS.

U.S. Postal Service Crime Hotline .........................(800) 654-8896

Takes reports of and investigates crimes that involve the U.S. Postal Service, including mail fraud, pornography, and drug transactions by mail, and also provides information on complaints filed by consumers against businesses or individuals.

Victim Assistance

The following national victim advocacy organizations provide referrals to federal, state, and local victim assistance services and programs.

National Organization for Victim Assistance ..........(800) TRY-NOVA

1757 Park Road, N.W.

Washington, DC 20010

Internet address: http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/dir/184.html

National Victim Center .........................................(800) FYI-CALL

2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300

Arlington, VA 22201

Internet address: http://www.nvc.org

Additional Resources

American Association of Retired Persons ...............(202) 434-3400

601 E St., N.W.

Washington, DC 20049

Internet address: http://www.aarp.org

Serves as an advocate for the rights of the elderly and provides numerous services, including financial information programs.

Mail Preference Service Telephone Preference Service

PO Box 9008 PO Box 9014

Farmingdale, NY 11735 Farmingdale, NY 11735

Removes your name from most national mailing and phone lists if you so request in writing.

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse ...............................(619) 298-3396

Internet address: http://www.privacyrights.org

Provides information and referrals for technology-related privacy issues.

State attorneys general and state and local consumer protection agencies may also be able to provide consumer information about fraudulent practices and, in some cases, investigate complaints of fraud. Some even have victim assistance units or specialized fraud units, though they might not be able to provide services to victims of federal crimes. To learn more, please contact the victim/witness coordinator.

In addition, some local and state bar associations have volunteer legal programs to assist low-income or elderly victims. Consult your local phone directory for contact information.

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