#LASD Fraud & Cyber Crimes Tips on Telecom Fraud and Financial Scams
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Fraud & Cyber Crimes Bureau is publishing this bulletin to raise awareness of an increasing trend in telecom fraud and financial scams.
Immediate Steps for Victims: - Contact your financial institutions immediately and request a “stop” on the payment, when possible, or close the compromised bank account and open a new one. - File a police report. - Contact the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and Transunion) to monitor your credit activity and freeze your credit if necessary. It is highly recommended that everyone utilize this free service to stay vigilant. - Report the case to the FBI Cybercrime Complaint Center (IC3), ww.ic3.gov
Challenges in Investigation and Recovery: - Scammers operating in foreign jurisdictions present significant challenges for local law enforcement. Local agencies may not be able to apprehend the scammers as they may not be within the state or even the U.S. - Recovery of lost funds can vary. If you are defrauded by a licensed professional, such as an attorney or real estate agent, the respective professional association has its own reporting procedure and may provide a path for restitution. In other cases, consult with your certified public accountant (CPA) to see if the financial loss can be claimed on your taxes.
Prevention Through Public Education: Knowledge is everything. If you become a victim of this crime, remember, you are not alone; talk to someone you know and trust for support and report the incident to law enforcement