Overview[]
econsumer.gov is a portal for consumers to report complaints about online and related transactions with foreign companies. It was launched in April of 2001 in response to the challenges of multinational Internet fraud. The portal works to enhance consumer protection and consumer confidence in e-commerce. Today, consumer protection agencies in 28 countries participate in this initiative.
The project has two components: a multilingual public website, and a government, password-protected website. The public site allows consumers to lodge cross-border complaints, and to try to resolve their complaints through means other than formal legal action. Using the Consumer Sentinel network (a database of consumer complaint data and other investigative information operated by the Federal Trade Commission), the incoming complaints are shared with participating consumer protection law enforcers.