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: How To Report Scams and Frauds in

How to Report Scams and Frauds in United States
Government agency resources: phone numbers, links to their websites and contact email addresses


How to report scams, frauds, schemes and crimes in United States

Most scams violate federal laws and regulations, but a few are investigated by state or local authorities.  In general, if a scam uses the national services, like the US mail postal service, that would be reported to the related national agency, like the USPS, (see this page for reporting federal agencies). Scams involving businesses and scammers operating from a location within a state's borders would often be reported to a state agency. City, county, regional, and state consumer offices offer a variety of important services. They might mediate complaints, conduct investigations, prosecute offenders of consumer laws, license and regulate professional service providers, provide educational materials and advocate for consumer rights. To save time, call before sending a written complaint. Ask if the office handles the type of complaint you have and if complaint forms are provided. See the United States list of state agencies below:


United States Scam Reporting Agencies and Consumer Protection Offices

State Consumer Protection Offices

  • North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
    Address: North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
    1001 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27699-1001
    Phone Number: 919-707-3000
  • North Carolina Office of the Attorney General
    Address: North Carolina Office of the Attorney General
    Consumer Protection Division
    Mail Service Center 9001
    Raleigh, NC 27699-9001
    Phone Number: 919-716-6000 919-716-0058 (in Spanish)
    Toll-free: 1-877-566-7226 (NC)

Banking Authorities

The officials listed in this section regulate and supervise state-chartered banks. Many of them handle or refer problems and complaints about other types of financial institutions as well. Some also answer general questions about banking and consumer credit. If you are dealing with a federally chartered bank, check Federal Agencies.

  • Commissioner of Banks
    Address: Commissioner of Banks
    4309 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27699-4309
    Toll-free: 1-888-384-3811

Insurance Regulators

Each state has its own laws and regulations for each type of insurance. The officials listed in this section enforce these laws. Many of these offices can also provide you with information to help you make informed insurance buying decisions.

  • Department of Insurance
    Address: Department of Insurance
    Consumer Services Division
    1201 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27699-1201
    Phone Number: 919-807-6750
    Toll-free: 1-800-546-5664 (NC)

Securities Administrators

Each state has its own laws and regulations for securities brokers and securities - including stocks, mutual funds, commodities, real estate, etc. The officials and agencies listed in this section enforce these laws and regulations. Many of these offices can also provide information to help you make informed investment decisions.

  • Secretary of State
    Email:
    secdiv@sosnc.com.
    Address: Secretary of State
    Securities Division
    PO Box 29622
    Raleigh, NC 27626-0622
    Phone Number: 919-733-3924
    Toll-free: 1-800-688-4507 (Investor Hotline)

Utility Commissions

State Utility Commissions regulate services and rates for gas, electricity and telephones within your state. In some states, the utility commissions regulate other services such as water, transportation, and the moving of household goods. Many utility commissions handle consumer complaints. Sometimes, if a number of complaints are received about the same utility matter, they will conduct investigations.

  • Utilities Commission
    Email:
    consumer.services@psncuc.nc.gov
    Address: Utilities Commission
    Consumer Services
    4325 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27699-4325
    Phone Number: 919-733-9277
    Toll-free: 1-866-380-9816


General Precautions and Recommendations- What to do with suspicious emails:

  • Only open email or IM attachments that come from a trusted source and that are expected
  • Use an anti-virus/anti-spam package (we recommend Norton 360 or Norton Internet Security scan all attachments prior to opening. Click here to see Norton 360 2013 on Amazon.com .
  • Delete the messages without opening any attachments
  • Do not click on links in emails that come from people you do not know and trust, even if it looks like it comes from a company you know.
  • Keep your anti-virus software up to date
  • Keep your operating system up to date with current security patches. Click here for an article that describes how to do this.

And please let us know about any suspicious calls or emails you receive.  We look for patterns so that we can alert the authorities and victims to new scams, before it is too late!

 

 


 

For a comprehensive list of national and international agencies to report scams, see this page.