The DC Victim Hotline has compiled a list of frequently needed resources related to financial fraud. This is not an exhaustive list of options available to you. The resources listed consist of both national and local resources. If you are interested in resources in jurisdictions other than the District of Columbia (such as Maryland and Virginia) please visit VictimConnect Resource Center.
For an individualized plan, please reach out to a DC Victim Hotline Victim Service Specialist, here.
DC Resources
Volare: Volare provides free, holistic, and trauma-informed advocacy, legal, and therapeutic services to survivors of any type of crime in the District of Columbia. We believe in survivor-defined care, healing, and justice. This means that only survivors can make decisions about what healing and justice look like for them. Volare provides resources and support to survivors making those decisions. Call at 202-742-1727.
MPD Victim Services Branch: MPD’s Victim Services Branch provides support, information, and referrals to victims and their families. Call at 202-727-9099.
National Resources
Taking Action: An Advocates Guide to Assisting Victims of Financial Fraud: Provides a detailed overview of common financial crimes and action steps for reporting.
FTC Complaint Assistant– You can report anything you think may be a fraud, scam, or bad business such as lending fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC is not able to respond to each report individually, and it can’t take action on behalf of individual consumers, but they will use ports like yours to investigate and bring cases against fraud, scams, and bad business practices. You can also call 877-FTC-HELP.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI recommends contacting your local FBI field office or submitting an electronic tip for financial crimes that involve fraud, especially corporate fraud, mortgage fraud, or other investment fraud schemes where significant dollar losses have occurred, including those impacting you or your place of work.Find your local FBI field office here.
Health and Human Services: Financial fraud can occur in a health settinglike medical identity theft. If you believe you have been discriminated against, your rights have been violated, or the wrong decision you can report to HHS. HHS is a resource
Social Security Administration: In the case of Social Security identity theft or fraud you can contact the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271.
Internal Revenue Service: For tax identity theft you can report to the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490 (Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m). Find out more about identity theft and the IRS here.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA): For fraud by a broker or financial firm you can report to FINRA’s Investor Complaint Center.
National Futures Association (NFA): NFA develops and enforces rules, provides programs and offers services that safeguard market integrity. If you believe that an NFA Member has treated you improperly or has improper business practices you can report futures fraud to NFA here or call 312-781-1300.
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): SEC asks to be alerted to broker or firm misconduct, an unfair practice in the securities industry that needs to be changed, or the latest securities or investment fraud. You can file a complaint or provide us with tips on potential securities law violations to the SEC here.
Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF): For mortgage loan modification fraud you can receive free, confidential and comprehensive financial and foreclosure prevention education through the Homeowner’s HOPE™ hotline. Call 1-888-995-HOPE™ (4673) or visit their website to learn more.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): You may file a complaint with the IC3 if you believe you have been the victim of an Internet crime, such as online fraud, or if you want to file on behalf of another person you believe has been such a victim.
State Department: If your fraud is internationally based such as romance or family scams, drug trafficking scam, lottery scam or if you were a victim of scams that target U.S. citizens abroad you can find resources on the State Department international financial scams page. If you are abroad, you can contact the nearest US Embassy or consulate or contact the Overseas Citizens Services at 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444.
US Postal Inspection Services: USPIS is the federal law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Postal Service. You can report mail fraud
here or call 877-876-2455.
Better Business Bureau: For disputes that relate to marketplace issues experienced with the services or products a business provides you can report to the Better Business Bureau. Submit a consumer scam complaint
here.
More Resources & Information
Visit our Financial Fraud Information Page to learn more.
Visit our Mental Health & Self Care page for resources to help cope with the mental stress associated with financial fraud.
While lost funds are rarely retrieved, visit our Financial Assistance Resources page for more options.
