It can be distressing to be the victim of an auto scam. Auto scams can be detrimental to your personal and financial life. When you are the victim of an auto scam you may feel scared and insecure but there is a way to take back control and get justice. You have the ability to report the scam with the proper officials. Reporting an auto scam can be time consuming, but you can prevent other individuals from being victims.
Step 1
Compile all of your evidence of the auto scam. When you contact the proper authorities, you will need to provide evidence that you were a victim. It is best to gather any receipts, orders and any documents that verify your relationship with the business and how you were scammed.
Step 2
Find the closest FBI office to report the auto scam. You can visit the FBI’s official website to locate your local office. The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI have announced the National Auto Fraud and Theft Prevention System to assist individuals who have been victims of auto scams. Auto fraud, such as a staged auto accident and auto insurance fraud, is a federal offense and should be reported to the FBI. Send a letter, detailing the scam and how you were affected. You can also email the office, detailing the auto scam. The office will ask for more information after the initial contact.
Step 3
Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the auto scam (see reference). You can send an email to the Federal Trade Commission detailing the auto scam and how you were a victim. The FTC can handle any type of crime. There are various types of auto scams, such as insurance fraud, auto-dealership scams and auto-repair scams. Within the email, point out the type of scam you were a victim of so they can answer you accordingly.
Step 4
Contact your state’s attorney general after you have emailed the FTC. You can find the state attorney general’s contact information in your telephone book or online. You can also inquire with your city or town hall to get the contact information. If you have given money to the scammers, it is best to contact the state’s attorney general.
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Writer Bio
Based in New Jersey, Ashley Leonard has been writing professionally since 2007. Her articles have appeared on rsportscars.com and various other websites. Leonard holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Marymount Manhattan College.