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Internet Fraud

The internet is a wonderful tool. It allows people to access information and connect with others in real time at an incredible price. This fantastic tool can also be used to commit fraud. This fraud could include online scams, identity theft The internet allows criminals to access victims quickly and anonymously.

Laws Against Computer Fraud.

The United States Government introduced the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. It’s intend was to make many of the online scams illegal. It is listed as United State Code 1030. It makes these acts a federal crime since most of the time these crimes occur across state lines. This Act has been updated a number of times. The most notable revisions are the US Patriot Act and the Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act. The Internet Fraud Complaint Center has created a series of statics regarding Internet Fraud. The most often reported crime is Non-Delivery of Merchandise.

Tips for Avoiding Non-Delivery of Merchandise

Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source.
Do your homework on the individual or organization to ensure that they are legitimate.
Obtain a physical address rather than simply a post office box and a telephone number, and call the seller to see if the telephone number is correct and working.
Send an e-mail to the seller to make sure the e-mail address is active, and be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account.
Consider not purchasing from sellers who won’t provide you with this type of information.
Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area. Check out other websites regarding this person/company.
Don’t judge a person or organization by their website. Flashy websites can be set up quickly.
Be cautious when responding to special investment offers, especially through unsolicited e-mail.
Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.
Inquire about returns and warranties.
If possible, purchase items online using your credit card because you can usually dispute the charges if something goes wrong. Make sure the transaction is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.
Consider using an escrow or alternate payment service.

Highest Risk of Internet Fraud

The following states have the highest rate of internet fraud based on their population:

Alaska
Colorado
District of Columbia
New Jersey
Nevada
Maryland
Washington
Florida
Arizona
Virginia

Reporting Internet Fraud

A victim can report internet fraud to several different government agencies. Please bear in mind that many organizations receive a large number of complaints. This may result in the organization taking an informational or intelligence report. This does not mean that the organization will open a criminal case.