Take Action: Alabama resources for fraud protection and reporting

Fraud and identity theft are running rampant across Alabama, costing victims millions of dollars. It’s important to know what to do if you or a loved one is a victim of one of these crimes. AARP Alabama wants you to know about resources available in our state to assist you.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network provides up-to-date information on scams here in Alabama and across the country. Access it online at: http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-watch-network/, or call 1-877-908-3360.

If you believe you or a loved one has become a victim of a scam or identity theft, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department.

Here are some additional resources to provide help or information:

Identity Theft

Alabama Identity Theft Resources and Laws
http://identitytheftnetwork.org/resource-map/alabama

Alabama Attorney General
Office Main Number: 334-242-7300
Consumer Protection Hotline, 800-392-5658
Office of Victim Assistance: 800-626-7676
Website: http://www.ago.state.al.us/Page-Consumer-Protection

Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft

Federal Trade Commission
877-FTC-HELP or 877-ID-THEFT
Website: ftc.gov/complaint
Website: https://www.identitytheft.gov/#what-to-do-right-away

Elder/Vulnerabl e Adult Financial Exploitation

Alabama Department of Human Resources
Adult Abuse Hotline: 1-800-458-7214
Website: http://dhr.alabama.gov/services/adult_protective_services/adult_Abuse_Facts.aspx

General fraud and other criminal matters

FBI: (202) 324-3000
Website: https://tips.fbi.gov/

Investment Fraud

Alabama Securities Commission
800-222-1253
Email: asc@asc.alabama.gov
Website: http://asc.alabama.gov/complaints.aspx

Securities and Exchange Commission
800-SEC-0330
Website: http://www.sec.gov/complaint/select.shtml

Health Care/Medicare/Medicaid Fraud, and related matters

Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General
1-800-HHS-TIPS
Website: www.oig.hhs.gov/

Senior Medicare Patrol
800-AGE-LINE (800-243-5463)

Social Security
800-269-0271
Website: http://oig.ssa.gov

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program- Formerly Food Stamps)
Fraud Reporting Hotline
1(800) 424-9121- National, 1(334) 242-1700- Alabama
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fraud/how-can-i-report-snap-fraud
All Reports are handled they the USDA Office of Inspector General.

Mail Fraud, Lottery/Sweepstakes Fraud

U.S. Postal Inspection Service
877-876-2455
Mail Theft and Identity Theft
800-275-8777

Internet Fraud and Lottery/Sweepstakes Fraud by Internet

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

Disaster-Related Fraud
National Center for Disaster Fraud
(877) 623-3423, fax (225) 334-4707
Email: disaster@leo.gov
Correspondence may be sent to: National Center for Disaster Fraud
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909