The SEC, or Securities Exchange Commission, and Internet Fraud Watch, a part of the National Fraud Information Center, are organizations which aid the consumer, as is the Internet Fraud Council, though it requires consumers to become members in order to get information on internet fraud. The SEC is a part of the government. They prosecute people who perpetrate all types of fraud. The Internet Fraud Watch and the National Fraud Information Center seek to inform the consumer to help them avoid such schemes, as well as to aid law enforcement (Internet Fraud Watch). The Internet Fraud Council's mission is similar to that of the Internet Fraud Watch, except that they provide services for their members.

There are many ways to avoid becoming a victim of internet fraud, or fraud in general for that matter. Reading up on current scams at the Internet Watch site, is one. If one wishes to invest in anything they should read up on the companies they wish to invest in, by checking the companies financial statements. The SEC has a database which keeps track of "[all] U.S. companies with more than 500 investors and $10 million in net assets; and [all] companies that list their securities on the Nasdaq Stock Market or a major national stock exchange such as New York," (Internet Fraud).

The net is a great tool for learning. It can also be a great trap for the unprepared. Becoming informed about the schemes and scams taking place online can help one to enjoy the positive side of the net, while avoiding it's pitfalls.