The Consumer Sentinel Network: A Law Enforcement and Public Reporting Tool for Scams and Identity Theft

The Consumer Sentinel Network (Sentinel) is a unique investigative cyber tool that provides law enforcement members with access to millions of consumer fraud and identity theft complaints. Based on the premise that sharing complaint information can make law enforcement even more effective, Sentinel allows members to access consumer complaints submitted directly to the FTC, as well as to complaints shared by over 100 data contributors from Apple to Zelle, including several State Attorneys General and all North American Better Business Bureaus. Nearly 3,000 federal, state, local, and international law enforcement users have access to Sentinel; hundreds of individual members access the system each week.

The FTC shares aggregate data with the general public.  We’ll discuss how you can access such data as well as how to advise consumers who are victims of consumer fraud and identity theft.  A consumer education segment will also discuss the FTC resources available to help prevent scams.