Internet has reached such magnitude that for many evil people, it is a way to make money quickly and easily. This is possible because the meteoric growth of the Internet has led to practices that develop in legal loopholes.
Although technology evolves much faster than jurisprudence, the user is not helpless, and the Internet is much safer now than it was a few years ago. If you want to know how to report a fraudulent website, how to say phishing, or, in general, how to report cybercrime, keep reading this article.
Reporting a Website for Fraud
Scams and scams based on deception are common on the Internet, and we can report them, just as we would if they happened in real life. The complaint is essential to locate and act on pages, portals, or companies that carry out illegal activities.
Read also: How to Look for a Part-time Job
How to Report Cybercrime
There are many types of crimes that are punishable by law. Although the creativity of the cybercriminal is not without originality, the most common are scams (scams) and frauds (financial and administrative deceptions) that, in some cases, can be easily avoided by knowing them. These are the most common:
- Sending money in advance: this is a very basic scam, and avoiding it is easy. They promise you what they promise you, and no matter how much they earn your trust, never pay in advance for a service, a purchase, an investment, etc. Also, do not lend money to people who deserve your trust using the Internet, as they may not even really exist, even if you have contacted them through social networks, online dating services, etc. For charity scams, first, verify the identity of the organization.
- Credit card fraud: some pages appear authentic and are dedicated to selling the most various things that do not exist: tickets to concerts, shows, or sporting events that once paid to turn out to be false. At the time a credit card is used, there is a specific protocol for reporting fraud.
- Data theft: You should also report data theft through fake web pages, a fact better known as phishing.
If you have been a victim of any of these or any other fraud, you should do the following:
- Contact the service or provider company: many cases can be resolved using the support services of the portal itself. In social networks, forums, and emails, they can solve the problems themselves, as they are the first interested in that no one misuses their services.
- Claim at your Municipal Consumer Information Office (OMIC), since they can inform you and process your claim.
- Official complaint: if what has been committed against you is a crime punishable by law, you can report it to the State Security Forces (FCSE), as they have their departments specialized in computer crimes. In addition to the Technological Research Brigade of the Technological Research Unit (UIT) and the Telematic Crimes Group, each Spanish Autonomous Community has its specialized department: Central Unit of Computer Crimes of the Mossos d'Esquadra, Central Section of Crimes in Information Technologies (SCDTI) of the Ertzaintza, Technological Support Group of the Navarra Police, etc.
What to do When you Get Scammed Online
If it is not classified as a crime and remains at fault for fraud, you can find solutions by going to the Customer Service or Support departments of:
- In case of credit card scams or fraud, you should contact your card provider. You should also inform your bank.
- In case of spam, intrusion into your privacy, account hacking, etc. you must contact the provider: Google if it is a Gmail email; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. if it is within a social network, etc.
- Malicious web pages with inappropriate content, content copies, payment links, malicious software, etc., you can report it directly to Google.
How to Report a Website to Google
There are numerous justifications for wanting to report a web page to Google. If this is your case, you should know that you have several sites to report the problem. If this is related to your Google account (for example, with your Gmail email), you can do the following:
- Click on your photo
- Click on the option "Manage your account."
- Report your problem (bottom right)
You can explain the problem and send screenshots to prove it. They will contact you.
- If it is a third-party problem, for example, a suspicious web page, there is a complaints page where you can choose the type of activity and send your report.
- If you use Chrome as your default browser, you can install an extension (More Tools> Extensions> Add extension) called Suspicious Site Reporter. This will allow you to report pages involved in computer crimes.
Also read: How to Use Social Media to Find a Job
How to Report Phishing
Phishing is the name of a type of scam that consists of using emails, forms, or any other kind of simulation to access personal data. This includes passwords, bank details, or access data with which crimes of identity theft, theft is later committed accounts of scams on your behalf.
It is the most prevalent kind of fraud, and you can report it directly to Google, in a department called Safebrowsing.
Adapted and translated by The Cop Cart Staff
Sources: Uncomo
