PHONE SCAMMERS TARGETING DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Willemstad, Curacao. The US Marshall services have informed the general public that they should report phone scams. Press release from The US Marshall Services (Document 1.0)

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Authorities have said that, in many cases the general publics help and assistance in identifying scams early, help to thwart bigger scams later of the same nature. In this case Educating the Public is the key so that they do not fall prey to scams.

Quick identifications that your call is a scam:

The caller leaves no name or the name seems fake. In some cases it is a real name but just someone impersonating an official person.
The caller many times does not identify who the caller is. This is almost always the key identification of a scammer, otherwise called phishing. The end result is hoping that the bait is set and the phish (person being called) will return the phone call.

B. CONSIDER CONTACTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
Considering informing and filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau if you suspect such calls are scams or a phishing expedition.

C. IF THE CASE OF AN INTERNATIONAL SCAM CONSIDER ECONSUMER GOV.
econsumer.gov is an initiative of the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN). ICPEN is a network of governmental organizations in the enforcement of fair trade practice laws and other consumer protection activities.

econsumer.gov is where you can report international scams and learn about other steps you can take to combat fraud. Your complaints help consumer protection agencies around the world spot trends and work together to prevent international scams.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT
The participating enforcement agencies will use the information in your complaint to spot new trends, uncover new scams, and target suspect companies and individuals for law enforcement actions. It may help to ensure that others are not victimized in the way that you have been. You should know that submitting a complaint to this system WILL NOT necessarily trigger an obligation for any participating agency to investigate your complaint on your behalf.

RECOMMENDED OTHER WAYS TO RESOLVE YOUR COMPLAINT
In addition to reporting your complaint to consumer protection agencies, you may want to try to resolve it through alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ADR can be a fast and convenient way to resolve disputes without going to court. For that reason, the econsumer.gov members have compiled an directory of ADR providers throughout the world that may help you resolve your cross-border dispute.

D. CONSIDER - THE DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at www.donotcall.gov.

E. CONSIDER CONTACTING THE FTC
The FTC cannot resolve individual complaints, but they can provide information about what next steps to take.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau handles complaints about financial products or services, and may be able to help directly. The site informs that you should file your complaint with the CFPB at www.consumerfinance.gov or toll free at 855-411-2372

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