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Internet Safety: How Internet Fraud is Being Dealt With

The Department of Justice - Prosecutes cases throughout the country against individuals and groups who have engaged in a variety of types of Internet fraud

The Internet Fraud Initiative - a joint initiative between the Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National Advocacy Center

• Develops information on the nature and scope of the problem
• Develops and provides training for prosecutors
• Establishes a program of public education

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – has authority to bring civil lawsuits to federal district courts. Since 1994, the FTC has brought more than 140 law enforcement actions against more than 490 companies and individuals.

• FTC Surf Days – the FTC, along with other state and federal agencies, searches the Internet for sites containing deceptive claims. The site operators then receive warnings
• Teaser Sites – fake scams constructed by FTC staff. As a consumer clicks through the site a warning eventually appears stating, "If you respond to an advertisement like this, you could get scammed!"

Consumers Fraud Sentinel Database - Provides secure Internet access to more than 220,000 consumer complaints for more than 200 law enforcement organizations across the United States and Canada

National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) – joint effort between industry and the government to foster awareness of cyber security through educational outreach and public awareness