Report Telemarketing & Online Fraud - East Flatbush City

Business and Consumer Protection New York 3 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of New York

In East Flatbush, New York, you can report telemarketing and online fraud to local, state and federal consumer enforcement offices so incidents are investigated and enforcement starts quickly. File a city complaint with the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) via its consumer pages NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection[1], report statewide scams to the New York State Attorney General's consumer fraud portal NYS Attorney General - Report a Scam[2], and submit federal reports to the FTC Complaint Assistant FTC ReportFraud[3]. Keep records of calls, messages and payment details before you file to preserve evidence for investigation.

Penalties & Enforcement

Telemarketing and online fraud may be enforced by multiple authorities depending on the claim: city consumer protection units handle local consumer violations, the New York State Attorney General handles state consumer fraud and deceptive acts, and federal agencies handle cross-border or national scams. Criminal referrals can go to the District Attorney or NYPD when fraud involves theft or identity crime.

  • Fines: specific civil penalties for telemarketing or online consumer fraud are not specified on the cited city consumer pages; see the city and state links for enforcement authority and penalty ranges.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing-offence escalation and statutory ranges are not specified on the cited municipal consumer page; state or federal statutes may set graduated penalties.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to cease and desist, restitution to consumers, injunctions, license suspensions or referrals for criminal prosecution are among remedies used by enforcing agencies.
  • Enforcer & complaint pathway: the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection enforces city consumer rules and accepts complaints; state and federal agencies accept related complaints and may coordinate with local law enforcement.
  • Appeals and review: agency decisions typically include internal review or administrative appeal processes; specific time limits for appeal are not specified on the cited city complaint page.
  • Defences and discretion: agencies may allow defenses such as documented authorization, bona fide error, or corrected transactions; permitting or variances generally do not apply to fraud prohibitions.
Report quickly and preserve call records and receipts to help investigators build a stronger case.

Applications & Forms

  • NYC consumer complaint intake: online complaint submission through the DCWP consumer pages; no numbered form is specified on the city page.
  • New York State Attorney General: online consumer complaint portal for scams and identity theft; specific form numbers not specified on the portal.
  • FTC Complaint Assistant: online report form for fraud and identity theft; no fee and immediate submission to the federal database.

Action Steps

  • Gather evidence: save call logs, emails, SMS, payment receipts and screenshots.
  • Report to DCWP or 311 for city complaints if the business is local and to the NYS Attorney General and FTC for broader fraud.
  • If money was stolen, report to your bank and to local police (NYPD) and request a police report for financial institution claims.
  • Follow up on complaint numbers and ask about restitution, administrative hearings, or referrals to prosecutors.
If you paid by wire or gift card, notify your bank immediately and report the loss to law enforcement.

FAQ

How do I file a complaint about a telemarketing call in East Flatbush?
You can file a city complaint with the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, use the NYS Attorney General online portal for consumer fraud, or report to the FTC Complaint Assistant; keep records of the call and any payments.
Will filing a complaint get my money back?
Agencies may secure restitution or refer cases to prosecutors, but refunds are not guaranteed; contact your bank to attempt charge reversals immediately.
Do I need a police report to file with the Attorney General?
A police report strengthens criminal referrals and bank claims, but the state complaint portal accepts reports without a police report; provide as much evidence as possible.

How-To

  1. Collect evidence: copy call records, SMS, emails, receipts, and screenshots.
  2. Submit an online complaint to NYC DCWP or call 311 for city assistance.
  3. File a complaint with the NYS Attorney General consumer fraud portal and with the FTC Complaint Assistant for federal tracking.
  4. Notify your bank or payment provider to stop payments and request reversals where possible.
  5. If needed, file a police report with the NYPD and keep the report number for agency follow-up.
  6. Keep copies of complaint numbers and follow up with agencies for status, appeals or restitution steps.
Keep copies of every submission and note dates and contact names for follow-up.

Key Takeaways

  • Report quickly to preserve evidence.
  • Use city, state and federal complaint portals to ensure coverage and coordination.
  • Keep documentation and obtain police and complaint numbers for appeals.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection - Consumer Help
  2. [2] New York State Attorney General - Report a Scam
  3. [3] FTC Complaint Assistant - ReportFraud

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