The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
State fraud website updated after task force’s creation
On the heels of a renewed commitment to coordinate fraud investigations between state and federal agencies, Connecticut has updated its “Connecticut Fight Fraud” website, which provides a single reference for tips, assistance and details on investigations.
The website, at portal.ct.gov/fightfraud, has been given a refreshed design that highlights links to information on price gouging, charity fraud and online security.
Last week, Connecticut’s lead federal prosecutor John Durham and the FBI announced the formation of a task force with Connecticut Attorney General William
Tong and Chief State’s Attorney Richard Colangelo to pursue complaints of fraud during the public health emergency.
In March, the FBI named David Sundberg as special agent in charge of its New Haven field office. Sundberg most recently was tactical chief of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group, overseeing the bureau’s hostage rescue team and its crisis negotiation programs. He also has held counter-terrorism roles.
The fraud task force is investigating potential offenses ranging from price gouging and hoarding to federal relief check scams and cyber fraud. Tong’s office has received more than 1,000 complaints of varying scams and Durham said his office has assigned a coordinator to oversee pandemic fraud investigations.
Some 700 complaints have focused on price gouging, with a Tong spokesperson indicating his office has sent letters to retailers asking for detailed pricing information. In some instances the office has dispatched investigators to visit retailers.
Tong’s office remains the lead contact for pandemic-related fraud complaints, via email at attorney.general@ct.gov or by calling 860-808-5318. The U.S. Department of Justice takes complaints online at www.justice.gov/disastercomplaintform or through its National Center for Disaster Fraud hot line at 866-720-5721.