Scams aren’t bound by borders, so the investigation process cannot be either. Thus, the importance of eConsumer.gov, a website through which 34 participating countries can gather and share consumer complaints. Of course, the effectiveness of the site is dependent on consumers sharing complaints. So if and when you’re scammed, be sure to report it there.
About eConsumer.gov
eConsumer.gov launched in 2001 through the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (IPCEN). Currently, there are 34 participating consumer protection agencies around the world, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
In fact, after a consumer files a complaint through eConsumer.gov, it is fed into the Consumer Sentinel database, which the FTC maintains.
The website is available in 8 languages and has recently been updated to be more user friendly.
“Increasingly, we live in a cross-border world in which consumers buy goods and services from around the globe,” says ICPEN President Nisha Arora, “so the Econsumer.gov website is a valuable means of detecting and combating unlawful practices that are occurring across national boundaries.
“I encourage anyone who has encountered a problem that crosses national borders to send the details to econsumer.gov.”
How to Submit a Complaint
If you think you’ve been scammed across national borders:
1) Go to eConsumer.gov.
2) Select from one of the 9 categories listed:
- Online shopping/ecommerce services/computer equipment
- Jobs and making money
- Travel and vacations
- Credit and debt
- Imposter scams: Family, friend, government, business, or romance
- Phones/mobile devices, and phone services
- Telemarketing and spam
- Lottery, sweepstakes, or prize scams
- Other
3) Choose the appropriate subcategory.
4) Fill out the form, which will ask for:
- Complaint details
- Company details
- Your contact information
- Your comments
eConsumer.gov also provides recommendations for further steps you can take, including information on alternative dispute resolution, how to contact a merchant, payment card protection, and trust seals and escrows.
Note, while the FTC maintains the Consumer Sentinel database of complaints filed through eConsumer.gov, go ahead and file a complaint through the FTC directly. And if the scam involved a financial product or service, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as well.