Gov. Anti-Fraud Site Launches Amid Goldman Accusations

Reporting suspected fraud is now just a couple clicks away, as the U.S. government continues developing Web tools to empower citizens as watchdogs.

Reporting suspected fraud is now just a couple clicks away, as the U.S. government continues developing Web tools to empower citizens as watchdogs.

President Barack Obama's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force on Friday announced the launch of StopFraud.gov, what it calls a "one-stop shop for the American people to learn how to protect themselves from fraud and to report it wherever - and however - it occurs." The site includes news and information, as well as several videos on how to file a complaint and how to identify a scam.

The announcement was accompanied by a press release detailing the new site:

President Obama established the interagency Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. The task force includes representatives from a broad range of federal agencies, regulatory authorities, inspectors general, and state and local law enforcement who, working together, bring to bear a powerful array of criminal and civil enforcement resources.

"The Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud, but one of our best partners in the fight is a vigilant, informed public," said Robb Adkins, Executive Director of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. "Throughout government there are resources to help hardworking, honest Americans protect themselves from fraud and report fraud, and StopFraud.gov will connect the public with those valuable tools."

Coincidentally, the announcement came on the same day the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Goldman Sachs and one of its vice presidents with fraud.