Identity Theft Protection

FTC Investigations

How to file for a FTC Investigation

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

The Importance of Filing a Complaint

Filing a complaint with the FTC is important for several reasons. First, the information that you enter into the ID Theft Complaint Form can be used as part of an Identity Theft Report, which is an important tool in recovering from identity theft. Read on to find out more about your rights as a victim of identity theft.

Second, when you file an ID Theft Complaint with the FTC, you can help law enforcers catch identity thieves. Your complaint is entered into the FTC’s Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse, which law enforcement officers can search as part of their criminal investigations. (The FTC, however, does not bring criminal cases.) Law enforcement officers who are members of the Clearinghouse may contact you if your case becomes part of their investigation. But it’s also a good idea to stay in touch with your local police department about their investigation, or about any recent developments in your case.

Will an investigation be opened if I file a complaint?

Although the FTC does not have the authority to bring criminal cases, your complaint will be entered into the FTC's Identity Theft Data Clearinghouse. As a result, sworn law enforcement officers, through their membership to the Clearinghouse, can search the information provided by you in the course of their criminal investigations. You will be contacted by a law enforcement agency if your case becomes part of one of their criminal investigations. As there is no guarantee, though, that your complaint will be investigated through the Clearinghouse, you should always maintain direct contact with your local police department to stay updated about the progress of your case.

Most law enforcement agencies agree that identity theft cases should be investigated aggressively. However, issues such as staff resources, caseloads, budget, and prosecutorial guidelines all affect whether or not a law enforcement agency will pursue your case. So when reporting your crime, be as accurate as possible about actual monetary loss and about any information relating to the suspect such as actual name, address, date of birth that you may know. The accuracy of this information could be the difference between having a case investigated or declined.

Ask your police department to search the FTC's Consumer Sentinel database for other complaints in your community. You may not be the first or only victim of this identity thief. If there is a pattern of cases, local authorities may give your case more consideration.

The FTC can open investigations against entities which have violated consumer protections 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.