THE SHORT ANSWER
Preserve a chronology without turning a checklist into a verdict
Use this local worksheet to inventory fourteen evidence categories, mark contradictions, draft a chronology and export CSV. It does not upload entries, file an official report, determine fraud or promise recovery. Contact the payment provider first when recall or reversal may still be possible.
PRIVATE BROWSER WORKSHEET
Build a reporting-ready evidence log
Record what exists without editing original files. Nothing is uploaded, retained or sent to an agency. Use the official reporting links below when you are ready to submit.
Preserve what exists now. Missing evidence should not delay an urgent bank recall, account security step or official report.
Not recorded: Original approach, People and identities, Contracting entity, Sales claims, Product promised, Price and fees, Payment record, Payment instructions, Custody evidence, Delivery or withdrawal, Communications, Urgent actions, Official reports, Recovery contacts.
This tool does not determine whether conduct is fraud, file a complaint, preserve server-side evidence, give legal advice or promise recovery. Immediate danger belongs with local emergency services.
PRESERVATION METHOD
Keep originals separate from the working summary
- Export original emails with headers rather than relying only on screenshots.
- Keep invoices, account statements, envelopes, shipping labels and payment receipts.
- Record time zone, caller number and the verified source of every callback number.
- Do not rename an uncertain claim as fact; label what was said and who said it.
- Store sensitive originals securely and follow agency instructions before sharing them.
CONFLICT-FIRST LOGIC
One contradiction can matter more than a high completion score
The tool surfaces conflicts before missing fields. A payment beneficiary that does not match the contract, two different vault locations or a changed product description should remain visible. Do not “resolve” a contradiction by deleting the older record. Preserve both versions and document the independent verification.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Regulator, consumer-protection and law-enforcement guidance
- Joint CFTC/FINRA physical-metals advisory for rollover pitches, spreads, fees and dealer questions.
- SEC, NASAA and FINRA self-directed IRA alert for custodian limitations, fake-custodian risk, liquidity and independent valuation.
- FTC post-scam action guide for payment-specific recall, dispute and account-security steps.
- FBI IC3 business-email-compromise guidance for changed payment instructions, verified callbacks and urgent bank contact.
- FTC ReportFraud, FBI IC3 complaint and SEC TCR are different reporting channels with different scopes.
- FINRA investor help covers complaints involving brokerage firms or their employees.
Reviewed July 31, 2026. Reporting forms, jurisdiction and recovery options can change. Open the current official page and preserve the confirmation number for every submission.
FAQ
Fraud evidence log questions
Does this evidence log file a fraud report?
No. It runs in the browser and does not transmit or retain entries. Use the appropriate official form separately.
Does a complete checklist prove fraud?
No. It only shows that selected evidence fields were recorded. Regulators, law enforcement, courts and relevant institutions determine how the facts are handled.
Should I include passwords or full account numbers?
No. Keep the worksheet suitable for a reporting draft. Follow each official form's instructions and store sensitive originals securely.
Can I wait to contact my bank until the log is complete?
No. Missing documentation should not delay a time-sensitive recall, dispute, account-security step or emergency response.