Step Up Precautions to Avoid Business Frauds

 

Unprecedented speed of communication and low-cost advertisements encourage cross-border businesses while at the same time cause an increasing number of business frauds especially online cases.

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The Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. assists in a preliminary advice for complaints on business frauds but cannot intervene in, act as an intermediary or provide legal advice in disputes arisen from negotiation and mutual agreements of commercial nature. The Embassy advises Thai and American businesses to step up precautions in verifying individuals, potential business partners as well as their relevant credentials from the beginning. Reduce fraud risks by paying attention to documents in business dealing. Business doing must follow respective laws and regulations of Thailand and the United States.   

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The Embassy advocates credibility and trust in business partnership towards strengthened commercial and investment relations between Thailand and the United States.

 For Thai Businesses

  • ♦  Legal businesses in the U.S. register with state governments. Each state designates a different agency in charge of business registration. In most states, the responsibility falls under Secretary of State.  The agencies make database of registered businesses available online. Provided detail of business registration may vary by state. For example,

– California

Secretary of State: https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov

– District of Columbia

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs: https://eservices.dcra.dc.gov/BBLV/Default.aspx

– Michigan

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs:

https://cofs.lara.state.mi.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx

      • ♦  Spend extra time to research and verify from various sources credibility of the business that you are dealing with, including
      • –     Company’s website
      • –     Feedback and input from third parties. For example, Better Business Bureau (BBB) has filtered and rated businesses that can be trusted. BBB also has a Scammer Trackers database, which can be found at www.bbb.org/scamtracker
      • –     Licenses and credentials associated with the business which can be verified through websites of local authorities in charge, e.g. Department of Consumer Affairs in California (https://www.dca.ca.gov/)
      • –    Court records at the federal (https://pacer.uscourts.gov/) and local levels
      • –    Visit to your future partner in person
      • –    Hiring an expert for in-depth verification
      • –

    Suspect That You Are a Victim of Business Fraud?

              • ♦   File a report at a local police station in Thailand and in the U.S. to make a case. Bring supporting evidence such as email correspondence, proof of payment and your company’s registration.

        One can designate an authorized representative to file the report on your behalf. Bring along a power of attorney and a certified copy of your ID or passport.

                • ♦   Additionally for Internet Frauds,
                • In the U.S. Submit a complaint with Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) under Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to initiate an investigation. (ic3.gov)
                • A complaint can also be submitted through Federal Trade Commission (FTC). FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices. The agency also provides information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid scams and fraud. (www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov)
                      • .
                      • In Thailand File a report with Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) under Royal Thai Police.

                   Address: The Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary, Building B,   4th Floor, Chaeng Watthana Road, Lak Si District, Bangkok Thailand 10210

                • Tel: + 66 2142 2555-60
                • Website: https://tcsd.go.th/

              • ..

                • For U.S. Businesses

                        • ♦    Legal businesses in Thailand must register with Department of Business Development (DBD) under Ministry of Commerce. Information on registered businesses can be found at https://datawarehouse.dbd.go.th/.
                        • ♦    Consult with Thai Trade Center North America. Four offices of Thai Trade Center in New York, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles have a directory of Thai exporters and can provide an advice and hlep with a trade dispute. They represent the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under Ministry of Commerce. (thaitradeusa.com)

                   

                • Suspect That You Are a Victim of Business Fraud?
                      • ♦   To initiate a case, file a report at the nearest local police station in Thailand where the company claims to locate. Bring supporting evidence such as email correspondence, proof of payment and your company’s registration.

                  One can designate an authorized representative to file the report on your behalf. Bring along a power of attorney and a certified copy of your ID or passport.

                      • ♦   Additionally for Internet Frauds, file a report with Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD)

                  under Royal Thai Police.                                                                                                                                     Address: The Government Complex Commemorating His Majesty the King’s 80th Birthday Anniversary, Building B,   4th Floor, Chaeng Watthana Road, Lak Si District, Bangkok Thailand 10210                                                             Tel: + 66 2142 2555-60                                                                                                                                           Website: https://tcsd.go.th/

           

        • DISCLAIMER: Referral of the above organizations does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C. The Embassy assumes no responsibility for professional ability of the organizations.

     

  • Last Edited: August, 2021