Anti-Scam FAQ: What Evidence Matters When Reporting These Crimes?

Answer: Hard – Factual Evidence

Collect and Keep Evidence:

Even though you may not be asked to provide evidence when you first report the cybercrime, it is very important to keep any hard or factual evidence you may have related to your complaint. Keep items in a safe location in the event you are requested to provide them for investigative or prosecutive evidence. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Canceled checks
  • Certified or other mail receipts
  • Chatroom or newsgroup text – although these mostly lies – keep it anyway (but the police will not need it immediately)
  • Credit card receipts
  • Bank wire transfer documents
  • Any new accounts created
  • Money transfer documents
  • Envelopes (if you received items via FedEx, UPS or U.S. Mail)
  • Facsimiles (Faxes – yes they still exist)
  • Log files, if available, with date, time and time zone
  • Social media messages – although these mostly lies – keep it anyway (but the police will not need it immediately)
  • Money order receipts
  • Pamphlets or brochures (if any)
  • Phone bills
  • Printed or preferably electronic copies of emails (if printed, include full email header information)
    Printed or preferably electronic copies of web pages
    Wire receipts

Remember, the most important things are:

  • Who you sent money to?
  • Who you received money from?