Consumers who have experienced Internet-based fraud may find help at the new Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC):  https://www.ifccfbi.gov/.

This site offers an online form for filing complaints. IFCC accepts on-line Internet fraud complaints from either the person who believes they were defrauded or from a third party to the complaint. This provides a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of a suspected criminal or civil violation.

IFCC's mission is to address fraud committed over the Internet. For law enforcement and regulatory agencies at all levels, IFCC offers a central repository for complaints related to Internet fraud, works to quantify fraud patterns, and provides timely statistical data of current fraud trends. Through its unique partnership in forming the IFCC, the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) strive to:

• develop a national strategy to address fraud over the Internet;

• collect, manage, and disseminate fraud complaint information to aid preventive and investigative efforts;

• provide law enforcement and regulatory agencies with analytical data to identify and address new fraud trends and help stem the rise of Internet fraud;

• provide a mechanism for reporting fraud on the Internet;

• ensure that Internet fraud complaints are directed to the appropriate law enforcement and regulatory agencies.

The IFCC site allows consumers nationwide to report Internet fraud and offers local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies training in Internet fraud. The site also enables the development of educational programs aimed at preventing Internet fraud and allows for the sharing of fraud data by all law enforcement and regulatory authorities.