If you’ve encountered a debt relief scam, it’s important to act quickly and report it to the appropriate authorities. Here are the essential actions to take, followed by additional options for reporting and safeguarding your financial information.
Essential Steps to report a debt relief scam:
=> Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) The FTC handles consumer complaints and investigates fraud. Reporting the scam can help prevent others from falling victim.
Visit Federal Trade Commission to file your complaint online.
You can also call the FTC at 1-877-382-4357.
=> Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Company If you’ve paid the scammer or shared financial information, notify your bank or credit card company immediately. They can help reverse or stop unauthorized transactions.
Ask to cancel or reverse payments made to the scammer.
Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
=> File a Complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) The CFPB helps protect consumers from financial scams, including debt relief fraud. Filing a complaint can help them take action against scammers.
Submit your complaint online at Consumer Finance.
You can also call 1-855-411-2372 for assistance.
=> Report to Local Law Enforcement If you’ve lost money or been defrauded, file a police report with your local authorities. This helps document the incident, and in some cases, the police may investigate the fraud.
Contact your local police department to report the scam and request a copy of the police report for your records.
Additional Reporting Options:
=> File a Complaint with Your State Attorney General Your state Attorney General can take legal action against scam companies operating in your region. Reporting the scam to them helps strengthen consumer protections in your state.
Find your Attorney General’s contact information at NAAG and submit your complaint.
=> Notify the Better Business Bureau (BBB) The BBB tracks fraudulent businesses and helps mediate disputes. Filing a report with them helps warn others about the scam.
Report the scam through the BBB Scam Tracker
=> Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report If you shared sensitive personal information like your Social Security number, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report to protect against identity theft.
Contact one of the major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) to place the alert, which will notify all three bureaus.
Protecting Yourself Moving Forward:
- Keep all documentation related to the scam, including emails, receipts, or any communication with the scammer.
- Be wary of future contact from scammers or other debt relief offers. Scammers may sell your information to other fraudulent companies.
Bottom Line
By taking these essential steps and considering the additional report options, you can help protect yourself and others from falling victim to a debt relief scam. If you are looking for a legit debt relief company, here are 6 things to look for when choosing a debt relief program.
