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What should you do if you are a victim of Identity
Theft? |
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Everyone has a “paper identity,” which consists of your
social security number, birth certificate, bank records, and credit card accounts
and statements. Identity Theft occurs when your paper identity has been taken
and used to commit fraud. |
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First, call your
local police to file a report and ask for a fraud investigator.
Click here for a list of Police Agencies in Florida
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File a complaint
with the Federal Trade Commission,
Bureau of Consumer Protection at: 1-877-382-4357,
Pennsylvania Avenue and 6th, NW,
Washington, D.C., 20580.
Click here to visit them Online. |
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Contact the Office
of the Attorney General Bill McCollum, State of Florida at: 1-866-966-7226.
The
Capital PL-01 Tallahassee,
FL, 32399 - 1050
Click here to visit them online. |
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Contact the Social
Security Administration Fraud Hotline at: 1-800-772-1213 if you suspect your Social
Security Number is being fraudulently used.
Click here to visit them online. |
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Contact
all three credit bureaus and order a copy of your credit report. Ask them to tag
your credit report for fraudulent activity.
Equifax:
P.O. Box 105069
Atlanta, GA 30348.
Report fraud: Call (800) 525-6285 and
write to address above.
Order credit report: (800) 685-1111.
Web:
http://www.equifax.com
Experian (formerly TRW):
P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013.
Report fraud: Call (888) EXPERIAN (888-397-3742)
and write to address above.
Fax: (800) 301-7196.
Order credit report: (888) EXPERIAN. Web:
http://www.experian.com
Trans
Union:
P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834.
Report fraud: (800) 680-7289 and write
to address above.
Order credit report: (800) 888-4213.
Web:
http://www.transunion.com |
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What should you do if you are a victim of Mail
Fraud? |
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Mail Fraud occurs when a scam artist solicits elderly persons,
attempting to get them to send money, personal information, or property in exchange
for some prize, product, service, or investment opportunity. |
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Call the Better
Business Bureau to find out if there are existing complaints against the company,
statewide at 1-800-435-7352 or in St. Petersburg at 727-535-5522
Click to visit them Online. |
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Contact the U.S. Postal Inspector Service, Mail Fraud Complaint
Center. You can contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in three
ways: - Mail correspondence to this address:
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS SERVICE CENTER
ATTN: MAIL FRAUD
222 S RIVERSIDE
PLAZA STE 1250
CHICAGO IL 60606-6100
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Call
your local
U.S. Postal Inspector's office. The
Tampa Office can be contacted at: 1-800-372-8347 - Submit a Mail
Fraud Report if you have a complaint involving fraud and the U.S. Mail by using
one of the two links below.
Click here if you want to go to the U.S. Postal Inspector's
Online Complaint Form.
Click here if you would rather file a complaint via U.S.
Mail, click here and print it. |
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What should you do if you are a victim of Home
Repair Fraud? |
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Home Repair Fraud occurs when a scam artist makes a “repair”
that is not needed, charges an inflated price for the repair, performs a home
repair without having the proper qualifications to make the repair, uses inferior
materials in performing the repair, or when you pay for work that is never done. |
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First, call your
local police to file a report and ask for a fraud investigator.
Click here for a list of Police Agencies in Florida
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Call the Better
Business Bureau to find out if there are existing complaints against the company,
statewide at 1-800-435-7352 or in St. Petersburg at 727-535-5522
Click to visit them Online. |
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File a complaint
with the Federal Trade Commission,
Bureau of Consumer Protection at: 1-877-382-4357,
Pennsylvania Avenue and 6th, NW,
Washington, D.C., 20580.
Click to visit them Online.. |
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Contact the Office
of the Attorney General Bill McCollum, State of Florida at: 1-866-966-7226.
The
Capital PL-01 Tallahassee,
FL, 32399 - 1050
Click here to visit them online. |
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What should
you do if you are a victim of
Charity Fraud? |
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Charity Fraud may
occur when a charity misuses donated funds or scam artists prey on seniors by
encouraging them to donate to non-existent charities. It can occur by phone, mail,
or in person. |
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First, call your
local police to file a report and ask for a fraud investigator.
Click here for a list of Police Agencies in Florida
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Call the Better
Business Bureau to find out if there are existing complaints against the company,
statewide at 1-800-435-7352 or in St. Petersburg at 727-535-5522
Click to visit them Online. |
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Contact the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, at: 1-800-HELP FLA, to confirm
that the charity if registered.
Click here to visit them online.
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What should you do if you are a victim of an Income
Opportunity Scam? |
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Income Opportunity Scams occur when scam artists prey on seniors
by promising financial success and wealth along with the convenience of working
at home. |
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First, call your
local police to file a report and ask for a fraud investigator.
Click here for a list of Police Agencies in Florida
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File a complaint
with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center,
Click here to visit them online.
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Contact the Office
of the Attorney General Bill McCollum, State of Florida at: 1-866-966-7226.
The
Capital PL-01 Tallahassee,
FL, 32399 - 1050
Click here to visit them online. |
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What should you do if you are a victim of Loan
Fraud? |
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Loan Fraud is also known as predatory lending, Loan Fraud occurs
when a lender tries to fool or intimidate consumers into a loan with high fees,
interest rates and commissions. These loans often do not meet industry standards. |
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Call the Florida
Department of Financial Services if you suspect a company of predatory lending
practices at 1-800-342-2762.
Click here to visit them online. |
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File a complaint
with the Federal Trade Commission,
Bureau of Consumer Protection at: 1-877-382-4357,
Pennsylvania Avenue and 6th, NW,
Washington, D.C., 20580.
Click to visit them Online. |
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Contact the Office
of the Attorney General Bill McCollum, State of Florida at: 1-866-966-7226.
The
Capital PL-01 Tallahassee,
FL, 32399 - 1050
Click here to visit them online. |
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What should you do if you are a victim of Investment
Fraud? |
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Investment Fraud occurs when scam artists take advantage of
seniors by having them buy either a fraudulent investment or one that is not a
good financial decision for them. |
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Call the State
Securities Regulator in Florida to file a complaint at 850-410-9805
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Call the Better
Business Bureau to find out if there are existing complaints against the company,
statewide at 1-800-435-7352 or in St. Petersburg at 727-535-5522
Click to visit them Online. |
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Check your Broker’s
Professional Background at 1-800-289-9999.
Click here to visit them online. |
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Check information on bonds at
www.nasdbondinfo.com |
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What should you do if you are a victim of Price
Gouging? |
Florida
statute 501.160 states upon declaration of a state of emergency, it is unlawful
for a person or her or his agent to rent or sell or offer to rent or sell at an
unconscionable price within the area for which the state of emergency is declared,
any essential commodity including, but not limited to, supplies, services, provisions,
or equipment that is necessary for consumption or use as a direct result of the
emergency. This remains in effect until the declaration expires.
To read the entire statute click here.
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Contact the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, at: 1-800-HELP FLA, to report
the violation.
Click here to visit them online. or
Click here to File a Price Gouging form online.
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Contact the Office
of the Attorney General Bill McCollum, State of Florida at: 1-866-966-7226.
The
Capital PL-01 Tallahassee,
FL, 32399 - 1050
Click here to visit them online. |
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What should you do if you are a victim of Sales
Fraud? |
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Sales Fraud comes in many forms. A con-artist may sell you
an item, take your credit card number, and never send the item you ordered. Or,
the con-artist may mislead you into buying a product through deceptive advertising. Sales
fraud can also occur when you buy a product with 100% money-back guarantee. If
you want your money back, you find that the thief is long gone. |
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File a complaint
with the Federal Trade Commission,
Bureau of Consumer Protection at: 1-877-382-4357,
CRC-240
Washington, D.C., 20580.
Click to visit them Online. |
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Call the Better
Business Bureau to find out if there are existing complaints against the company,
statewide at 1-800-435-7352 or in St. Petersburg at 727-535-5522
Click to visit them Online. |
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Contact the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
1-800-HELP FLA, to confirm
company's registration or file a complaint.
Click here to visit them online. |
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Contact the Office
of the Attorney General Bill McCollum, State of Florida at: 1-866-966-7226.
The
Capital PL-01 Tallahassee,
FL, 32399 - 1050
Click here to visit them online. |
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What should you do if you are a victim of Telemarketing
Fraud? |
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Telemarketing Fraud occurs when scam artists solicit you offering
to sell products or services. They often try to pressure you into making immediate
purchases or investments; or trick you into giving your bank account, credit card,
and social security numbers. |
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First, call your
local police to file a report and ask for a fraud investigator.
Click here for a list of Police Agencies in Florida
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Call the Better
Business Bureau to find out if there are existing complaints against the company,
statewide at 1-800-435-7352 or in St. Petersburg at 727-535-5522
Click to visit them Online. |
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File a complaint
with the Federal Trade Commission,
Bureau of Consumer Protection at: 1-877-382-4357,
Pennsylvania Avenue and 6th, NW,
Washington, D.C., 20580.
Click to visit them online. |
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Contact the National
Fraud Information Center at 1-800-876-7060.
Click here to visit them online. |
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Contact the Office
of the Attorney General Bill McCollum, State of Florida at: 1-866-966-7226.
The
Capital PL-01 Tallahassee,
FL, 32399 - 1050
Click here to visit them online. |
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Department of Agriculture
Contact
the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, at: 1-800-HELP FLA,
to confirm the company's registration or file a complaint.
Click here to visit them online. |
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What should you do if you are a victim of
Vacation Fraud? |
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Vacation Fraud occurs when you receive a phone call, email
or post card informing you that you have won a FREE vacation—but you soon find
out there are many strings attached. |
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Call your local
consumer protection agency.
In Pinellas County, call 727- 464-7988.
Search for your local agency online by clicking here. |
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Call the Better
Business Bureau to find out if there are existing complaints against the company,
statewide at 1-800-435-7352 or in St. Petersburg at 727-535-5522
Click to visit them Online. |
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File a complaint
with the Federal Trade Commission,
Bureau of Consumer Protection at: 1-877-382-4357,
Pennsylvania Avenue and 6th, NW,
Washington, D.C., 20580.
Click to visit them Online. |
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Contact the Office
of the Attorney General Bill McCollum, State of Florida at: 1-866-966-7226.
The
Capital PL-01 Tallahassee,
FL, 32399 - 1050
Click here to visit them online. |
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Contact the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
Call: 1-800-HELP FLA.
Click here to visit them online. |
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