Brian Winterfeldt, principal with Winterfeldt IP Group in Washington DC, says platforms are reluctant
to voluntarily disclose advertisers’ identifying or contact information without a subpoena or court order. He
says this is true even when the advertisers are fraudsters.

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Winterfeldt says companies can report pervasive acts of online fraud to law enforcement authorities or
through reports with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, managed by the FBI.

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He adds that his clients tend to rely on brand protection vendors to monitor social media and then use his
firm to send cease and deist letters and takedown notices. But he too emphasizes that wider action by
platforms or governments is needed.

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