Identity Theft Protection

Filing with the FTC

How to File with the FTC

Here are some important tips on how to file a complaint with the FTC, for shoppers and merchants.

Why should I file a complaint with the FTC?

Filing a complaint with the FTC is one of several important steps that victims of identity theft should take. The links below will walk you how to file a complaint with the FTC, and how you can get the protections that you, as a victim of ID theft, may be entitled to. If you’re ready to go directly to the Complaint Form, click here.

For more information on other steps that victims of ID theft should take, please see the Defend: Recover from Identity Theft section of this website.

Filing a complaint with the FTC is important for a number of reasons:

1) Complaints get entered into a secure database used by law enforcement to investigate cases. Identity thieves do not necessarily limit themselves to victims in a single jurisdiction. Even if your local law enforcement agency can't investigate your case, you may be able to provide useful information to a law enforcement officer investigating from another jurisdiction.

2) The FTC aggregates related complaints into large case leads and refers them out to task forces or other law enforcement agencies for investigation. You may think you're the only victim of this identity thief when, in fact, you may be one of many. The more complaints we receive, the better our chances of discovering patterns of theft and taking steps to catch the criminals.

3) The FTC analyzes information from complaints to understand more about identity theft and the problems victims are having in resolving it. Policy-makers and businesses are interested in this information so that they can craft better remedies to prevent identity theft and to provide better victim assistance. Understanding the problem is the first step to resolving it. You are the best source of that information. See Statistics.

4) The FTC can open investigations against entities which have violated consumer protection laws which we enforce. See http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/stat3.htm. Although we do not advocate on behalf of individuals and we cannot guarantee that an investigation will be opened on the basis of your particular complaint, consumer complaints are one way in which we are able to discover law violations and to take enforcement action. For more information, see http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/action.htm.

 

 

Source: FTC

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.