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Internet Fraud
The Internet offers a global marketplace for consumers and businesses. But crooks also recognize the potentials of cyberspace. The same scams that have been conducted by mail and phone can now be found on the World Wide Web and in email, and new cyberscams are emerging. It’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between reputable online sellers and criminals who use the Internet to rob people. You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize the danger signs of fraud. If you are a victim or attempted victim of Internet fraud, it’s important to report the scam quickly so that law enforcement agencies can shut the fraudulent operations down.
The Alliance Against Fraud in Telemarketing and Electronic Commerce was formed in 1989 by the National Consumers League, America’s oldest nonprofit consumer organization. Members of the Alliance - from government, law enforcement, labor, consumer advocacy, and business - are united in their commitment to combating fraud by educating themselves, their members, customers, clients, and constituents.
What does the NFIC/IFW do?
Our mission is to give consumers the information they need to avoid becoming victims of telemarketing and Internet fraud and to help them get their complaints to law enforcement agencies quickly and easily.
Benefits include:
- Quarterly meetings to learn how scams work, discuss public policy issues, exchange information, and plan consumer education activities;
- Detailed notes from each Alliance meeting;
- Membership roster with contact information for fellow fraud-fighters;
- The quarterly electronic newsletter, Focus on Fraud, featuring timely articles about emerging scams, enforcement actions, legislative activity, educational resources, tips for consumers, and much more. (Click here to view a sample .pdf issue.);
Membership is divided into three annual dues categories:
- $35 for nonprofit consumer groups, educational institutions, and labor organizations;
- $65 for government consumer protection and law enforcement agencies;
- $350 for businesses and trade associations.
Individuals Can Get the Newsletter!
Individuals are not eligible for membership but can [subscribe-http://www.nclnet.org/subscribefocus.htm] to receive Focus on Fraud by email for $9 per year ($12 for subscriptions outside of the U.S.). Reporters can get the newsletter electronically on a complimentary basis.