Avoid Internet Fraud Through This Site

Time to get serious.

Unfortunately the Internet, through Web sites and e-mails, has its share of bad apples. Some are downright fraudulent, like the Nigerian e-mail scam that asks for your checking account information so you can receive millions of dollars. That's a scam that has been going around for years and has recently made a comeback.

But where can you turn to make sure you're not the victim of a scam?

Why not try the Internet Fraud Complain Center, this week's Web Site of the Week?

The Internet Fraud Complaint Center is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center.

In a classic example of government enlightenment, the site says the mission of the Internet Fraud Complaint Center "is to combat fraud committed over the Internet."

Really, though, the IFCC is a good bookmark to have to avoid becoming the victim of fraud, or to report suspicious fraudulent activity on the Internet.

You can even report suspected terrorist activity on the site through a link that says matter-of-factly "Report Terrorist Activity (click here)."

The site also lets you file an online complaint if you think you have been defrauded on the Internet. (Hint: Internet auctions are the most common complaint.) The complaints are forwarded to the appropriate agency that has jurisdiction to investigate them.

The Internet Fraud Complaint Center also allows the sharing of fraud data between the government and local law enforcement agencies, according to the site.

Statistics compiled by the IFCC indicate that 72 percent of the complaints come from male victims and 31- to 40-year-olds comprise the largest share of Internet fraud victims.

Of the states where alleged perpetrators operate (or operators perpetrate), California tops the list, followed by Florida, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania, according to the government site.

Sadly, the Internet Fraud Complaint Center also warns of unscrupulous people using the Sept. 11 terror attacks as a way to fraudulently solicit funds, claiming the money is for various charities related to the attacks. However, the site does not list reputable Sept. 11 charities, or advise which ones are legitimate. A frequently-asked-questions page on the site says, in part:

"Neither the IFCC, the FBI, the National White Collar Crime Center, nor the Better Business Bureau can advise whether a particular organization is legitimate."

I think that defeats what could be a very powerful part of the Web site. It's sad that a government site that makes it so easy to report terrorism makes it so hard to find out who is legitimate.

Check out the Internet Fraud Complaint Center. To paraphrase Elaine from the "Seinfeld " TV series, I think you'll find the site "bookmark worthy." If you don't like this government site, don't complain to me.

At least you don't have to take a number.

Site reviewed: www1.ifccfbi.gov