Citizen Fraud and Scam Information

With so many types of fraud and scams, it's hard to figure out how and where to report each variety.

Start by reaching out to the Virginia Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

Northern Virginia Regional Office of OAG

10555 Main Street, Suite 350 
 Fairfax, Virginia 22030 

703-277-3540

service@oag.state.va.us

 

If you lost money or other possessions in a fraud or scam, please call the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center, 703-777-1021(non-emergency dispatch), they will get you in touch with a Purcellville Police Officer.


Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the central agency that collects scam reports. Report your scam online with the FTC complaint assistant, or by phone at 1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM - 8:00 PM, ET). Whether you think it’s a scam, you know it is, or you’re not happy about a business practice, tell the FTC. The FTC and its law enforcement partners enforce a variety of laws. Your report makes a difference and can help law enforcement spot potential problems.


FBI List of Common Scams and Crimes

 

How and where to Report Fraud and Scams?

If you happen to become a victim of a fraud or scam, report it in the following ways.

  1. Call the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center, 703-777-1021(non-emergency dispatch), they will get you in touch with a Purcellville Police Officer.
  2. Initiate a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  3. Department of Justice Fraud Reporting Information
  4. USA.GOV Report Scams and Fraud

It is also recommended that you contact the three credit bureaus to place a credit freeze or lock, to help protect your identity.

                  


How to Place a Fraud Alert and/or Credit Freeze?

  1. Contact one credit bureau. 
    • Ask it to place a fraud alert on your credit report.
    • The credit bureau you contact will then contact the other two credit bureaus. 
    • Placing a fraud alert for free.
    • Be sure the credit bureaus have your current contact information so they can get in-touch with you.
  2. The credit bureau will explain that you can get a free credit report and other rights you have.
  3. Mark your calendar! The fraud alert stays on your report for one year, you can get a new one after the one year.

IRS Fraud: The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information.


Report all unsolicited emails claiming to be from the IRS or an IRS-related function to phishing@irs.gov. If you have experienced any monetary losses due to an IRS-related incident, please notify the local law enforcement and report it to the Treasury Inspector General Administration (TIGTA).

 

Fraud or Scam Indicator - warning

  1. Asks for personal information, social security number, banking information.
  2. Asks for payment via gift cards, pre-paid credit cards, money transfers, or bitcoin.
  3. Grammatical or spelling errors.
  4. Email address is personal or doesn’t match the company.
  5. Conversation becomes threating.