Almost every fraud reporting forum
comes with a toll free 24 x 7 complaints hotline, named interchangeably as an
anti-fraud hotline, or helpline. These are known for their competence to deal
with all types of online fraud incidences, and commit their responsibility
towards bringing down the rate of frauds online.
Unfortunately, these services are
not being used effectively by victims, who tend to be oblivious to the multiple
advantages of fraud reporting. In addition to lack of belief in the fraud
reporting mechanism, in many cases, people do not use them effectively. A few
prudent tips will go a long way towards using these helplines wisely.
Fraud
reporting tip # 1: Be Patient and provide relevant details for immediate action
Tipping off relevant authorities is
the major step in exposing online scandals. Most people who sense an impending
fraud are in a hurry while giving vital information to the hotline associate.
Mere indication of a possible crime will not be very effective, unless
validated with factual and accurate information.
Fraud
reporting tip #2: Use the option to maintain anonymity, if needed
Many opportunities for fraud
reporting are lost due to the fact that both victims and whistleblowers are put
off by the fact that revealing their names and identity will entail undesirable
consequences. They fail to notice that every fraud reporting helpline can
assure anonymity and keep the identity strictly confidential.
Fraud
reporting tip #3: Use the helpline after gathering holistic evidence
Due to frivolous fraud reporting and
instances of using helpline to avenge individuals or organizations, helpline
officials are trained not to entertain ambiguous and emotional complaints
unless there is ample evidence available to establish the possibility or the incidence
of fraud. Before calling the fraud reporting helpline, the callers must ensure
that their complaints are based on objective evidence that could be steered
into action.
Fraud
reporting tip #4: Use the helpline that is dedicated to the concerned type of
fraud
The vastness of internet makes
people feel lost in the innumerable helplines available and makes it difficult
to narrow down to the most relevant. Due to anxiety or lack of trust on
effectiveness, people do not bother to approach the right helpline and give up
fraud reporting, mid-way, owing to frustration. In order to avoid this,
internet users are advised to keep track of various categories of internet
scams and go in for the helpline that is most effective.
Fraud
reporting tip #5: Allocate time to listen to the IVRS menu options
To streamline calls and to provide
speediest assistance, helplines are designed with automated IVRS (Interactive
Voice Response System) that present a series of numbered options for forwarding
the call to the relevant wing of officials. Callers are not patient to listen
to all the options and may delay a very sensitive issue by navigating
themselves wrongly. Fraud reporting can be twice accurate and speedy if
complaints are handled by helpline officials who have closest access to the
data needed to proceed with cyber crime investigation.
