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Fraud

February 2021 Featured Resources

This featured news content includes information about Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, National Consumer Protection Week, and The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit.

Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

This website allows you to easily report scams, fraud, and bad business practices to the Federal Trade Commission. Once you submit your report, you will be given a tracking number and tips on what to do next. Your report will be added to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel database, which is available to thousands of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies throughout the...

New Federal Trade Commission Website Helps Victims to Report Fraud

The Federal Trade Commission recently launched a new website to make it easier for consumers to report fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Victim service providers can help their clients submit fraud reports in just a few short steps on the English language site ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the Spanish language site ReporteFraude.ftc.gov.

Fraud

Financial and economic crimes cost American individuals and businesses billions of dollars every year, causing both financial and emotional distress.

Financial fraud occurs when someone uses deception or misrepresentation for financial gain. With ongoing technological breakthroughs and the globalization of commerce, today’s con artists have a new arsenal of weapons to use in defrauding consumers and stealing personal information.

The following resources provide information on fraud.

New Video Educates Consumers How to Identify Debt Scammers

The video describes the warning signs of debt collection fraud, including threats of jail time and pressuring the consumer into making a decision quickly. It's important to ask questions, become fully informed about the debt, and not be pressured by illegal threats.

National Elder Fraud Hotline

If you or someone you know is a victim of elder fraud, we encourage you to call the Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). Professional case managers will assist you with reporting the crime and connect you with other resources as needed. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., eastern time.

Fraud Alert: Scammers Claiming to be with OVC


The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has received multiple reports that our office's name is being used as part of an imposter scam targeting individuals throughout the country.

OVC is not making these phone calls.

These scammers falsely represent themselves as OVC employees and attempt to obtain or confirm personal information from the call recipient, such as a social security number, or will ask...

Research Brief: Identity Theft and Fraud

Date Published
March 2019
Publication Type
Report (Technical Assistance), Report (Grant Sponsored), Issue Overview, Instructional Material (Programmed)
Agencies
OVC-Sponsored

Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection: Frauds and Scams

The Bureau Consumer Financial Protection works to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and take action against companies that break the law. This resource page provides guidance to help you prevent, recognize, and report scams and fraud.

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)-Funded Elder Abuse Programs

In August of 2016, a new VOCA Rule clarified and expanded states’ allowable uses of VOCA victim assistance funding. The rule clarifies and expands how states may expend the funding, and states are looking to support all victims, including victims of elder abuse. This OVC page highlights examples of VOCA-funded elder abuse programs and the VOCA offices that funded them.