Federal officials announced the newest weapon in their fight against one of the fastest-growing segments of crime, online fraud. To combat this problem, law enforcement is going to the source of the problem, the Internet, with an Internet-based solution.

The new Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) allows people to submit their online fraud complaints via the Web. The online center also means the government will save time and money: Before the IFCC was created, consumers had to send complaints though the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The FTC received 18,000 Internet-related consumer complaints last year, and the SEC reported between 200 and 300 complaints per day about online securities fraud or sales issues, according to U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.

The IFCC site reinforces the efforts by these agencies to identify and hopefully prevent online fraud. Such fraud takes many forms, including deceptive online auctions, fraudulent online purchases, false advertising through e-mail and theft of credit card numbers, Reuters News reports.

The site is staffed by FBI agents and employees of the National White Collar Crime Center.

The center won't deal with computer viruses, officials stated.

Consumers can file their complaints through the secure Web site at www.ifccfbi.gov. Complaints will be fielded in the order received.

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