EJI has collaborated with the FBI’s IC3 program to develop a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for the general public. This PSA encourages the public to file reports of internet-related financial fraud through the IC3 electronic reporting system, demonstrates how to file the report, and explains what types of fraud can be reported, including fraud targeting older Americans. The PSA stresses the urgency of filing reports quickly to increase opportunities to intervene.
The IC3’s Recovery Asset Team (RAT) was established in February 2018 to streamline communications with financial institutions when individuals become victims to various internet-related money scams. When the IC3 receives a complaint from a victim that made a transfer under fraudulent pretenses to a bank account located in the United States, the RAT forwards the transaction details to an identified point of contact at the recipient bank to notify the bank of the fraudulent activity and request freezing of the account. Once a response is received from the recipient bank, the RAT contacts the appropriate FBI field office.
Between January 1 and December 31, 2021, the RAT assisted with 1,726 incidents involving losses of more than $443 million. The RAT helped freeze more than $328 million, a 74 percent success rate.
For the RAT to be effective, individuals must immediately report Internet-related crimes to the IC3 and include all pertinent information, including account details. For more information, please visit IC3.gov.
