Veterans For Child Rescue
Donate

Home / Resources / How to report

How to report a concern

If you suspect a child is being trafficked or targeted online, these are the people to call, what to tell them, and what to do first.

In an emergency, call 911. V4CR is not a law enforcement agency and has no emergency response team. You can also submit a tip to V4CR for review.

Who to contact

  • Call 911 if a child is in danger right now, or contact your local law enforcement agency or FBI field office. Tips to the FBI: 1-800-225-5324.
  • Homeland Security Investigations: 866-347-2423.
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888, or text BeFree to 233733.
  • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC): 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST), or report online at report.cybertip.org.

Contact V4CR if you need further assistance.

Be able to describe in detail

  • Who you saw: a description of the child and the adult or adults with them.
  • What you saw: the vehicle, licence plate, make and model, building, or social-media account.
  • When you saw it: the day and time.
  • Where it happened.
  • Why it seemed suspicious.

You may be routed to an agency that specialises in kidnapping and trafficking. The most important thing you can do is get the details right. You have the right to request anonymity.

Take proactive measures

  • Regularly check the local and national offender registries at NSOPW.gov and alert your children, family and friends.
  • Download the free FBI Child ID app to store updated photos and a description of your child, ready to send to authorities if they go missing.
  • Check your children's phones, tablets and computers often.
  • Use monitoring and parental control apps such as Bark, Net Nanny, Qustodio and Norton Family.
  • Be open and honest with your children about the dangers of the internet, social media, apps and online games. Monitoring is a non-negotiable safety precaution.

If your child has been targeted online

  • Stop using the phone immediately. Put it in airplane mode so data cannot be removed remotely.
  • Secure other devices such as tablets and laptops.
  • Contact the authorities above.
  • Report any suspicious social-media accounts to the platform and to law enforcement.

Use your best judgement

Resist the urge to act personally. Traffickers are among the most ruthless people on the criminal spectrum. They are best defeated with intelligence and accurate reporting.