Frequently Asked Questions
Prior To Filing A Complaint
- Q: How do I file a chargeback case with ICRA?
- The ICRA accepts online Internet chargeback cases filed by persons who believe they were defrauded File a Case
- Q: What details will I be asked to include in my case?
- ICRA can best process your complaint if we receive accurate and complete information from from the seller. Therefore, we request that you provide as much information as possible, when filing a complaint:
- Your name
- Your mailing address
- Your telephone number
- Name of the individual or business that defrauded you
- Address of the individual or business that defrauded you
- Phone number of the individual or business that defrauded you
- Online member ID and Online service from which the product was purchased.
- Specific details on how you were defrauded
- Any other relevant information necessary to support your complaint.
- Q: How are cases resolved?
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Chargeback cases are handled between the seller and buyer under normal circumstances. ICRA will not be involved with most cases filed unless requested by local and/or international authorities for prosecution. ICRA cannot guarantee that your case will be investigated and/or prosecuted. However, your filing will significantly help reduce overall crime rates worldwide by providing other sellers notification of buyers' previous chargeback history while also maintaining a history of criminal evidence.
- Q: Can I file a case if I have been defrauded of money or goods?
- If you believe you are the victim of an Internet crime by means of chargeback, you can file a chargeback case on our website. Be sure to include as much information as possible about yourself (i.e. name, email address, mailing address, etc.), the perpetrator, and the Internet chargeback that you are reporting.
- Q: Can I file a complaint if I was victimized by a buyer in another country?
- Regardless of your location and the buyer's location, you can file a chargeback case. File a Chargeback Case.
After A Complaint Is Filed
- Q: What happens after I file a chargeback case?
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After you file a case with ICRA, the information will be available through your online profile. You will have the choice of updating the status of each case including marking the item paid (will remain part of the buyer's record for 7 years) unless the seller depends to remove the record.
The case filed will be available to all members and non-members while performing an investigative inquiry. No seller information will be provided other than the seller's member I.D. and case information.
Q: Can I update the status of a case or remove a case?
- Yes, within your member profile, all cases previously filed can be either update to status "Paid" with date of payment, or entirely removed from our system.
- Q: Will I be informed that my case was received successfully?
- Once you file a case with ICRA, the information is readily viewable within your member profile.
- Q: How do I cancel a case that I filed?
- Within your member profile, cases can be updated at anytime or deleted.
Related Evidence
- Q: Should I retain evidence that supports my complaint or send it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center?
- The Internet Crime Complaint Center does not collect evidence regarding complaints. While you may include copies of electronic information in your complaint, you must be sure to keep all original documents in a secure location. In the event that a law enforcement or regulatory agency opens an investigation, they will request the information directly from you.
- Q: What type of documents would be considered as evidence in regard to my complaint?
- It is important that you keep any evidence you may have related to your complaint. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Canceled checks
- Certified or other mail receipts
- Chatroom or newsgroup text
- Credit card receipts
- Envelopes (if you received items via FedEx, UPS, or U.S. Mail)
- Facsimiles
- Money order receipts
- Pamphlets or brochures
- 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