The information provided on this webpage does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this webpage are for general informational purposes only. Additionally, the links are accurate as of December 2023.
Resources if You've Been Scammed
If you’ve come to this page, you have probably been the victim of a financial scam or know someone who has.
The first step in cleaning up any kind of mess is to recognize that victims of fraud are just that – victims. Criminals have developed sophisticated methods for tricking people into giving them money, account credentials, and more. They look for opportunities to attack when a person is vulnerable, just like a mugger in an alley.
The Innovative Payments Association works with our member companies, not individuals, so we cannot offer individual or specific advice tailored to your specific situation. Thus, we cannot directly help you respond to a scam if you are a victim or have been taken advantage of by a fraudster. However, we can provide general guidance and you identify key publicly available resources that can help you if you are the victim of a scam.
However, there are numerous organizations that work with the victims of crimes to help them recover. Below are several resources that can help. These resources can help victims begin to respond to criminals and lead to additional support. The IPA encourages individuals who may have been victims or targets of criminals to report these crimes and attempted crimes as soon as possible.
The first step in cleaning up any kind of mess is to recognize that victims of fraud are just that – victims. Criminals have developed sophisticated methods for tricking people into giving them money, account credentials, and more. They look for opportunities to attack when a person is vulnerable, just like a mugger in an alley.
The Innovative Payments Association works with our member companies, not individuals, so we cannot offer individual or specific advice tailored to your specific situation. Thus, we cannot directly help you respond to a scam if you are a victim or have been taken advantage of by a fraudster. However, we can provide general guidance and you identify key publicly available resources that can help you if you are the victim of a scam.
However, there are numerous organizations that work with the victims of crimes to help them recover. Below are several resources that can help. These resources can help victims begin to respond to criminals and lead to additional support. The IPA encourages individuals who may have been victims or targets of criminals to report these crimes and attempted crimes as soon as possible.
Consumer Reports
First, Consumer Reports published an article in 2018 that helps victims and their friends and family members, identify the first steps in recovering from a fraud or scam.
What to Do If You've Been a Victim of Scams - Consumer Reports
What to Do If You've Been a Victim of Scams - Consumer Reports
Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau has a website that can help people who have been victims of scams report it. It offers a step-by-step reporting and a way to look up common scams.
Find and Report a Scam | Better Business Bureau (bbb.org)
Home | BBB Scam Recovery Guide Toolkit (bbbmarketplacetrust.org)
Find and Report a Scam | Better Business Bureau (bbb.org)
Home | BBB Scam Recovery Guide Toolkit (bbbmarketplacetrust.org)
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission also offers a scam reporting site. While the FTC says that it cannot resolve individual scams, providing information can help lead to criminals being investigated, arrested, and prosecuted.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Finally, the FBI has the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) that provides information on crimes that have happened, consumer alerts, and business alerts. Reporting cybercrimes here can also help lead to the prosecution of criminals.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Home Page
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Home Page