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How to File A Complaint about Internet Fraud
If you suspect an individual of commiting and act of fraud online, it is not only your right, but your civic duty to report it. People have died needlessly because of the greed of these fakes. If you are being stalked or harassed by a fraud, you also are entitled to protection from your government. Anyone who says otherwise should be treated with suspicion.
First, do a google for "attorney general" + "the state the fraud lives in" and find contact information then look for the terms "Consumer Protection" and "complaint form" on the site. Most states make it very easy for you to file a complaint online and almost all agencies allow you to file a third party claim - you don't have to have lost money to report a fraud. Be specific and include as many details as possible. We're not sure how well the Federal Government guards your privacy, but they are pretty serious about getting frauds off the internet. You should still be cautious about giving out personal information that can be used by frauds to stalk and harass you in retaliation for reporting their activities to the authorities.
Keep in mind that some frauds may be involved in real estate/Land deal scams and in identity theft so you may need to file several complaints
Next, try to contact the appropriate tribal authorities. Do a google search for "the tribe/s the fraud claims to be a member of" and "tribal offices" or "commission of Indian affairs" + "directory" + "State". Or try this link or this one. Be aware that you need to allow a lot of time for most tribal agencies to respond. Be as specific as possible and include as many details as you can. Snail mailing any brochures with contact information and photographs is sometimes helpful.
You can also forward your information to A.I.M. in the state where the fraud does business and to Indian Country Today and the appropriate tribal authorities. It's not a bad idea to cc all your correspondence with frauds to the Attorney General of their state, the local A.I.M. and Indian Country Today.
Here are some links that may be helpful:
Internet fraud watch
there's an online complaint form.
Internet Fraud Complaint Center
Check out what is the department of Justice doing about internet fraud.
FBI complaint form
Internet Scam Busters
FBI INTERNET FRAUD COMPLAINT CENTER
Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION - This agency protects consumers from false advertising claims � i.e. I�m a shaman, I�m an elder, I�m entitled to sell sweat lodges �.
You can file an online complaint here or order FTC publications
Report all 501 3C Fraud
If a suspicous individual moves into your area and starts seeking donations for a non-profit tax exempt organizaton, you should ask for an EIN/5013c non profit ID number.
All 501 3Cs must observe certain rules. Check the IRS Compliance guide for 501 3C organizations. Here are some of the most common violations:
501(c)(3) tax exempt religious and educational organizations cannot electioneer. If they do, they can be reported to the Internal Revenue Service and Federal Election Commission.
Abuse of 501(c)(3) tax exempt status as an educational organization for distribution of propaganda that is "non-educational." Such organizations are allowed to advocate political positions, but they MUST NOT distribute false and misleading information.
You may contact IRS Customer Service operations concerning tax-exempt organizations at (877) 829-5500 (toll-free number). The call center is open 8:00am to 9:30pm Eastern Time. Or you may write to us at the following address:
Internal Revenue Service
TE/GE Division, Customer Service
P.O. Box 2508
Cincinnati, OH 45201
IRS Publication 557, "Tax Exempt Status for Your Organization" (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p557.pdf)
Advocacy of a position. Advocacy of a particular position or viewpoint may be educational if there is a sufficiently full and fair exposition of pertinent facts to permit an individual or the public to form an independent opinion or conclusion. The mere presentation of unsupported opinion is not educational.
Method not educational.
The method used by an organization to develop and present its views is a factor in determining if an organization qualifies as educational within the meaning of section 501(c)(3). The following factors may indicate that the method is not educational.
� The presentation of viewpoints unsupported by facts is a significant part of the organization's communications.
� The facts that purport to support the viewpoint are distorted.
� The organization's presentations make substantial use of inflammatory and disparaging terms and express conclusions more on the basis of emotion than of objective evaluations.
� The approach used is not aimed at developing an understanding on the part of the audience because it does not consider their background or training.
Exceptional circumstances, however, may exist where an organization's advocacy may be educational even if one or more of the factors listed above are present.
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Report Fake Indian Tribes
All Tribes Must Meet These requirements.
Report Fake Indian Artists
The Indian Arts and Crafts act applies to graphics sold over the internet. You can report Fake Native American Arts and crafts by calling this toll free number:
1-888-ART-FAKE.
Under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, first passed in 1990 and amended in 2000, it is illegal to advertise, sell or market goods as "Indian" unless they were produced by a member of a state or federally recognized tribe or a certified Indian artist.
The Indian Arts and Crafts Board
There are so many frauds and so little time. Some of our members have suggested forming small groups to act as watchdogs for their region of the country. Every complaint helps to bring this issue to the forefront of public debate. Please E-mail us with suggestions on how to organize this.
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