Reporting Internet Safety Violations

Reporting an Internet safety violation.

Internet safety violations can range from crimes such as identity theft to child exploitation. Internet violations are taken seriously by the United States government and must be reported immediately. Reports may be made anonymously, however providing your full name and contact information may be helpful in the investigation of the violation. According to the federal government's Internet Fraud Information website, learning how to stay safe on the Internet is the best way to avoid becoming a victim of an Internet security violation.

Instructions

1. Access the U.S. government's Internet Fraud Information website listed in the Resources section. Choose which type of Internet safety violation you are wishing to report from the links provided under the "Reporting Internet Fraud" section.

2. Gather all of the details such as the websites, addresses and telephone numbers of all people involved in the Internet safety violation. Save a document including these details and a concise story of what the violation, how it happened, and how you were victimized or involved. The document will be especially helpful in receiving a timely response.

3. Follow any necessary protocol that is required before filing the report for the Internet safety violation. For example, if you followed the "Identity Theft" link to the U.S. Department of Justice website, you will need to contact the Federal Trade Commission and hold a brief phone interview before filing a report.

4. File the report by filling out the report form provided by the corresponding Internet safety violation website. If the form you are filling out allows for files to be attached, include the document you have prepared for the report.

5. Check your email for the "Issue ID" number that will be automatically sent to the email you have provided in the report form. The issue ID number may be used to check the status of the filed report using the website or phone number given in the email.

Tips & Warnings

• Filing a false Internet safety violation report is against the law; it is important to only include information that is true to the best of your knowledge.

References

• USA Government: Internet Fraud Information
• FBI: Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
• Internet Crime Complaint Center

Resources

• USA Government: Internet Fraud Information