| So it happened. You took all the precautions: updated | | | | non-delivery of goods or services, computer hacking, |
| your software, installed a firewall, monitored your child's | | | | or employment/business opportunity schemes. In the |
| internet habits, and didn't open any unfamiliar emails. | | | | event of an urgent or time-sensitive complaint, such as |
| However, despite your best efforts, someone in your | | | | an online threat, the organization recommends |
| household fell for a phishing scam. Or clicked on a bad | | | | contacting local authorities before filing an online |
| link. Or chatted with the wrong person. And now | | | | complaint. |
| there's a problem that needs solving, and it goes | | | | Upon filing a complaint, the ICCC will ask you to |
| beyond an infected computer. | | | | provide your name, address, and telephone number, |
| If you or someone in your family has been a victim of | | | | along with the name, address, telephone number, and |
| a cyber crime, whether the crime involves identity | | | | Web address of the alleged perpetrator or group you |
| theft, fraud, online solicitation, or stalking, you may be | | | | are reporting. A specific report of the incident is also |
| unsure of what to do next. Do you call the police? The | | | | required, along with any other relevant information you |
| ISP? Your email client? According to the Federal | | | | believe is necessary to support your complaint. Though |
| Bureau of Investigation (FBI), most law enforcement | | | | the ICCC doesn't collect evidence related to |
| experts agree that the vast majority of cyber crimes | | | | complaints itself, the organization recommends you |
| are not reported, which allows the perpetrators to | | | | keep any evidence you may have to share with the |
| continue to carry out their crimes and victimize others. | | | | authorities referred to your case, including: |
| The FBI, in partnership with the National White Collar | | | | |
| Crime Center, has helped establish an online source of | | | | 1. Canceled checks |
| help, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (ICCC), | | | | 2. Certified or other mail receipts |
| where internet users can file complaints for any type | | | | 3. Chatroom or newsgroup text |
| of online crime. After each complaint is reviewed and | | | | 4. Credit card receipts |
| evaluated, the organization refers it to the law | | | | 5. Envelopes received through ground mail |
| enforcement or regulatory agency that has | | | | 6. Facsimiles |
| appropriate jurisdiction. The site logs about 18,000 | | | | 7. Money order receipts |
| complaints each month. | | | | 8. Pamphlets or brochures |
| According to the ICCC, internet crime is defined as | | | | 9. Phone bills |
| "any illegal activity involving one or more components | | | | 10. Printed or preferably electronic copies of emails |
| of the Internet, such as websites, chat rooms, and/or | | | | 11. Printed or preferably electronic copies of web |
| email. Internet crime involves the use of the Internet to | | | | pages |
| communicate false or fraudulent representations to | | | | 12. |
| consumers." This includes advance-fee schemes, | | | | |