How To Track Down Someone Who Scammed You
Share
Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link and will create a new password via email.
Please briefly explain why you feel this question should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this answer should be reported.
Please briefly explain why you feel this user should be reported.
If you have been the victim of a scam, it can feel like a daunting task to track down the perpetrator. It can be especially difficult if they are difficult to recognize or contact. However, in most cases, there are steps you can take that may help you get your money back or at least help identify the individual in order to pursue legal action.
Contact Your Financial Institution: If you paid the scammer with a check or credit card, your first step should be to contact your financial institution. They can investigate the payment to try to identify the individual and can sometimes help you recover your funds.
Contact the Police: File a police report with your local law enforcement. Describe the scam, provide as much information as you can about the perpetrator and the payment method you used to pay them, and provide any evidence you may have gathered. This is important, as it can help law enforcement agencies pursue legal action against scammers.
Report the Scam: If you have been scammed, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) encourages you to report it. You can do this by calling the FTC’s complaint assistant or by visiting their website to file an online complaint. The information you provide can help the authorities investigate the scam.
Investigate the Individual: Do some online sleuthing to find out more about the individual who scammed you. Search for their name, emails, and phone numbers with a “people search” on an online database like ZabaSearch or Intelius. You may be able to find more information about them, such as an address or other contact information.
Gather Evidence: Don’t delete any emails, text messages, or social media messages from the scammer. It’s important to have as much evidence as possible to help identify the individual and prove that you were scammed.
Tracking down a scammer is not an easy task and can take time and effort. However, with the right resources and a bit of patience, it is possible to identify the individual who scammed you and hopefully recover your money.