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.