What is the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)?
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C). The IC3’s mission is to provide a means for the public to report cybercrime complaints such as fraud, sensitive data breaches, and other illegal activities. By collecting data and working in collaboration with federal, state, local, and international partners, the IC3 helps to identify perpetrators, arrest them, and bring them to justice.
How to Report Cyber Scams to the IC3
If you are a victim of a cyber scam, there are steps you can take to report the crime to the IC3. Here is what you need to do:
1. Gather Information
Before you report a cyber scam, it’s important to gather as much information as possible related to the scam. This includes:
- The date of the crime
- The type of scam or crime
- The method used to contact you
- The amount of money taken
- Any relevant documents
- Any available contact information
2. Fill out the online complaint form
Go to https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx and click on the “File a Complaint” button. You will then need to fill out the online complaint form, which includes your personal information, the information related to the scam, and any supporting documents.
3. Submit the form
Once you’ve filled out the form, click the “Submit” button. You will then receive an email from the IC3 with a reference number. Keep this number for future reference.
Conclusion
Reporting a cyber scam to the IC3 is an important part of protecting yourself and preventing others from falling victim to similar scams. By gathering as much information as possible and submitting an online complaint form, you can help law enforcement officials track down cyber criminals and bring them to justice.