Reporting scam emails plays an
important role in stopping these schemes from affecting more victims. This is
the reason why various initiatives are being launched to help encourage more
victims to report email scams the they encounter. Before, reporting scam emails
or filing a complaint against a malicious scheme used to take a lot of time,
since you have to travel to the local police station and have your statement
taken in order to file a complaint. However, today with the use of the advance
technology, victims of emails scams can now conveniently file a complaint
without leaving the comfort of their home.
Websites like Scamwatch is part of
the initiative of the government to encourage more email scam victims to come
forward and tell their story. Scamwatch works closely with ACCC or Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission in providing useful information about the
latest scams and how to fight them. Aside from this, Scamwatch also offers a
fraud reporting platform that accepts reports on the different types of fraud,
such as reporting scam emails. Although the website is not authorized to
conduct an investigation, they can easily forward reports that need immediate
attention to their partner local authorities.
Reporting Scam Emails to Scamwatch
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The primary step to reporting scam emails is to
identify the type of email scam that was sent to you. You have to be able to
identify whether it’s a Nigerian Scam, Lottery Scam or a phishing scam.
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You have to provide information regarding how
the scam was initiated, when did the scam happen and the losses you incurred
due to the scam.
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The report a scam form also requires you to
provide any information you know about the scammer who contacted you. Including
the name, email address, address and website that were utilized by the scammer
during the time when he was still actively communicating with you.
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Aside from answering the questions provided in
the form, you may also include some additional information about the email scam
you encountered by filling up the text box on the form.
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The report a scam form also offers an attachment
feature that allows you to include any relevant documents and evidence that can
help back up your complaint.
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Reporting scam emails to Scam watch allows you to report anonymously or as yourself. The amount of information you need to provide
about yourself will depend on how you wish to be identified as a scam reporter.
●
The last part of the report will ask you if you
wish to share your story with other readers. After you answer your question a
summary of your report will shortly follow, so you can review the details that
you provided.
Scamwatch was primarily established
by ACCC to help spread awareness and campaign against different forms of fraud.
Reporting scam emails on this site is more inclined for this purpose rather
than recovering your losses. Nevertheless, reporting scam emails on Scamwatch
can still be helpful since they have the necessary connection to recommend your
case for further investigation.
