Resources to combat illegal trade and the black market

Resources

Fighting Illegal Trade in Arizona

Arizona


Arizona has a toll-free anti-fraud hotline: 1-855-303-9470

For COVID Fraud

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you may file a consumer complaint with the Office of the Arizona Attorney General online. For consumer inquiries, or to request a complaint form, call (602) 542-5763 (Phoenix office), (520) 628-6648 (Tucson office), or toll-free outside of metro Phoenix, (800) 352-8431.


File a Consumer Complaint

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you may file a consumer complaint. For consumer inquiries, or to request a complaint form, call (602) 542-5763 (Phoenix), (520) 628-6648 (Tucson), or toll-free outside of metro Phoenix, (800) 352-8431.

The Consumer Litigation units in Phoenix and Tucson enforce the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act as well as other state and federal consumer protection laws. Consumer fraud, as defined by Arizona law, is any deception, unfair act, or practice, false statement, false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation made by a seller or advertiser of merchandise. In addition, concealment, suppression, or failure to disclose a material fact may be consumer fraud if it is done with the intent that others rely on such concealment, suppression, or nondisclosure. Merchandise may include any objects, wares, goods, commodities, intangibles, real estate, or services.


Report a Human Trafficking Situation

If you believe you may have information about a trafficking situation contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline at 1-888-373-7888:
anti-trafficking hotline advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking.

Text 233733
Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Chat humantraffickinghotline.org/chat
Chat online with the National Human Trafficking Hotline via humantraffickinghotline.org/chat


Report Environmental Violations

Use this page to report what appears to you as a possible violation of environmental laws and regulations. Information you submit will be forwarded to EPA environmental enforcement personnel or to the appropriate regulatory authority. More Information. Please provide as much information as you can in the form below.

If you are seeing an environmental event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, call 911, then report it to the National Response Center at: 1-800-424-8802.

Fighting Illegal Trade in California

California


Report Fraud

To report fraud or a scam in the state of California, start with the Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, or contact the local municipal, state, or federal regulators most likely to have answers to your questions.


Report a Human Trafficking Situation

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline
1-888-373-7888
Text: 233-733 (Be Free)

The U.S. Department of Justice Hotline
1-888-428-7581

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)


Report a Crime

List of Police Departments in California

List of Local Sheriff’s Offices in California

To report an internet crime that has occurred in California, contact your local law enforcement agency; your local High Crimes Task Force; or the Attorney General’s e-crime Unit. We encourage all victims of internet crimes to also contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).


For COVID Fraud

Anyone who has been the victim of a snake oil scam or who otherwise has information about products that are falsely touted as coronavirus treatments, tests, or cures should immediately file a complaint at oag.ca.gov/report.

If you have been the victim of price gouging, or have information regarding potential price gouging, you can file a complaint at oag.ca.gov/report.

Fighting Illegal Trade in Florida

Florida


Report a Human Trafficking Situation

If you believe you are a victim of human trafficking or suspect an adult is a victim of human trafficking, please visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline, or call them at 1-888-3737-888. If you suspect a child is a victim, please call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.


Consumer Fraud Hotline

For those who have been victims of such a scam, they may contact the Attorney General’s Office of Citizen Services either by calling the Attorney General’s Fraud Hotline at 1-866-966-7226 or by filling out an online complaint form at https://myfloridalegal.com/contact.


For COVID Fraud

Report a scam with the office of the Attorney General Ashley Moody.


Report an Environmental Crime

Florida has a new hotline to report crimes that affect the environment or public health. Here it is, courtesy of the state Department of Environmental Protection: 877-2 SAVE FL, or 877-272-8335. The toll-free line will be monitored 24 hours a day. Tips are directed to the DEP’s Division of Law Enforcement for follow-up by investigators.


Initiative: Fraud Free Florida

In response to Florida’s ongoing fraud epidemic, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis launched Fraud Free Florida, a new initiative aimed at better coordinating collective investigative efforts to protect Florida’s large population, especially seniors, from scam artists.

Fighting Illegal Trade in Illinois

Illinois


Consumer Complaint Online Submission Form

If you’ve been victimized by fraud, deception, or unfair methods of competition, the Consumer Protection Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s office may be able to help. Although our attorneys cannot represent an individual in a lawsuit, our limited mediation program can assist in resolving disputes or complaints filed by individual consumers. Promptness in making a complaint decreases the likelihood that a fly-by-night operator will move, leave town, or go out of business before consumers can gain assistance.


Consumer Fraud Hotlines

1-800-386-5438 (Chicago)

1-800-243-0618 (Springfield)

1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale)


Report a Human Trafficking Situation

If you suspect a child is a victim of human trafficking, call 911 and the DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 800-252-2873.

You can also report human trafficking at the National Human Trafficking Resource Center: 1-888-373-7888.


Healthcare and Family Services Fraud

If you suspect Medicaid or welfare fraud (including Link Card, Illinois’ SNAP/Food Stamp program), please complete and submit the form below or call the Medicaid/Welfare Fraud Hotline at 1-844-453-7283/1-844-ILFRAUD.


For COVID Fraud

Same link as general consumer complaints.


Report an Environmental Emergency

Submit a complaint at the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. If you are reporting an environmental emergency, please also contact the Illinois Emergency Management Agency at 1-800-782-7860.

Fighting Illegal Trade in Louisiana

Louisiana


Consumer Fraud Hotline

To report fraud or a scam in the state of Louisiana, start with the Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, or contact the local municipal, state, or federal regulators most likely to have answers to your questions.

To report annoying telephone sales calls:
Call the Federal Trade Commission at (888) 382-1222 or contact ftc.gov

To report “phishing” or internet-related scams, includes advance-fee schemes, nondelivery of goods or services, computer hacking, and business opportunity schemes contact ic3.gov, or the Internet Crime Complaint Center. This organization is a partnership between the FBI, the National White-Collar Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

To report online fraud
Contact the Federal Trade Commission at: ffc.gov/complaints OR call (877) FTC-HELP

To report identity theft
1. Call your parish’s Sheriff’s office immediately.
2. Call the Identity Theft Resource Center at (888) 400-5530, or contact them at idtheftcenter.org To report elder abuse


Report a Human Trafficking Situation

Get Help at 1-888-373-7888, TTY: 711, Text: 233733


Louisiana Addiction Hotlines

National Helpline for Substance Abuse
This free hotline number helps those suffering from an addiction to substance abuse. Providing guidance and information, it helps people through their worst times. This hotline service operates in Louisiana as well as nationwide at (800) 262-2463.

Cocaine Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous is a drug abuse hotline, specifically for the niche of cocaine. It is a national service that operates on a 12-step system, aiming to help with addiction to the drug. Launch the intervention at (800) 347-8998.

Alcohol and Drug Helpline
The alcohol and drug helpline operates nationally, helping people deal with substance abuse. One can talk about treatment or just gain a better insight into their or their families’ drug abuse issues. Speak to a representative at (800) 821-4357.


Report Environmental Crime

To report an environmental crime to LDEQ CIS, call 225.219.3944 or submit an online criminal complaint form. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s Criminal Investigation Section (LDEQ CIS) investigates negligent, knowing, or willful violations of Louisiana environmental law that have an adverse impact on our water, land, and air. CIS’s Criminal Investigators are P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement officers, with full powers of arrest in Louisiana.

Report Suspicious Activity

Informed, alert citizens have a key role in protecting their communities and keeping Louisiana safe.

Contact Louisiana State Police (LSP) Suspicious Activity Hotline 1-800-434-8007
Use the See Send app
File Online Complaint of Suspicious or Criminal Activity

Fighting Illegal Trade in Michigan

Michigan


Report a Consumer Complaint

You can find a complaint directory here.

To report a scam, file a complaint, or get additional information, contact the Consumer Protection team 517-335-7599.


Report Environmental Crimes and Emergencies

To report spills, releases, or other environmental emergencies involving air, land, water, groundwater, wetlands, dams, landfills, hazardous or radioactive materials, mines, public drinking water, oil and gas wells, nuclear power plants

State EGLE (PEAS) Hotline: 800-292-4706

Please note that many incidents that are reportable to EGLE also warrant reporting to the federal National Response Center, which serves the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U. S. Coast Guard:
Federal NRC hotline: 800-424-8802


Report Fraud

To report fraud or a scam in the state of Michigan from Lansing to Detroit, contact the Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau, or one of the federal, state or local agencies listed.

Consumer Protection: 517-373-1140


Report Fraud to the Office of Investigative Services

If you witness, suspect, or know of fraudulent, improper, or suspicious activity involving any MDOS documents or programs, please contact the OIS immediately at:

SOS-OIS@michigan.gov or FRAUD TIP LINE:  844-372-8356


Report a Human Trafficking Situation

If you suspect that any child or adult is a victim, or is at risk of becoming a victim, call 855-444-3911 any time day or night. If the individual is in imminent danger, immediately call 911.

You can also report human trafficking with the Department of the Attorney General.


For COVID Fraud

Michigan residents are urged to report any violation of the Consumer Protection Act online or by calling 877-765-8388.

Pennsylvania Flag

Pennsylvania


Report a Consumer Complaint

File a complaint with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office (attorneygeneral.gov, 800-441-2555) or Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov, 202-326-2222).

Product safety: Search for complaints about products by company, brand, and model through the Consumer Product Safety Commission (saferproducts.gov, 800-638-2772).


Report Fraud

Complete and submit the Identity Theft form to report when someone has filed for UC benefits using personal information such as your name, Social Security number, and date of birth without your knowledge or consent. Call the PA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-692-7469, and, review the Identity Theft form above to ensure you have all the information prepared to provide your report.


Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Hotline

You can use the Drug and Alcohol Referral Tool, and if you need assistance in finding a treatment provider or funding for addiction treatment, please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or contact your local county drug and alcohol office.


Report a Human Trafficking Situation

If you are victim of human trafficking and need help or suspect that someone else is a victim:

– Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
– Call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
– Text the letters “Befree” or the numbers 233733 to reach the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.
– If you suspect that human trafficking activity is present in your community, you may report a tip online
– Contact the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) at 1-800-692-7445.

You can also Report a Possible Sexual Cybercrime.


Report Environmental Crime–Victim Resource

Full list of links to different Victim Services.


For COVID Fraud

If you see any frauds related to COVID-19 (examples below) being attempted or if you are victimized by these frauds, please report them to the Task Force:

– FBI at: https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx  or 412-432-4000,
– COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator, Senior Litigation Counsel Shaun Sweeney at USAPAW.COVID19@usdoj.gov or 1-888-C19-WDPA,
– Price gouging to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General at pricegouging@attorneygeneral.gov, or
– Outside of western Pennsylvania to the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov.

Fighting Illegal Trade in Texas

Texas


Report Suspected Illegal Activity

You can report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse by recipients or providers in Texas health and human services programs online or by calling our toll-free fraud hotline (800-436-6184). The programs involved include:

– Medicaid
– The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps)
– Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
– Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program
– The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)


Report Fraud

To make sure you get the fastest help, read the following to know if you should file a complaint or if you should report fraud. If you need help deciding, call our Help Line at 800-252-3439, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time.


Report Environmental Crime

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality provides technical support and criminal investigative expertise in multi-agency investigations. We also serve as a resource for and provide training to local, state, and federal law enforcement officers on criminal environmental violations. Our goals are to increase recognition of environmental crime as a threat to public safety and to encourage and support enforcement of environmental statutes at the local level.


Report Environmental Crime–Victim Resources

Full list of links to different Victim Services.


For COVID Fraud

U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox of the Northern District of Texas is urging the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (the novel coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or submitting tips online at justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm. The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to disrupting fraudsters intent on capitalizing on the pandemic.


Report a Human Trafficking Situation

After contacting law enforcement, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888. You can also text “Help” or “Info” to 233733. Additionally, you can reach the hotline by email: Report@PolarisProject.org.


Consumer Fraud Hotline

If you spot price gouging or experience unfair or unlawful business practices, please file a complaint online or call our Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-621-0508.