If you visit travel.state.gov, the website the U.S. State Department operates for travelers, you can see a link in the side bar that reads ‘Internet Pal in Trouble?’ When I noticed it, I was excited at first — the number of stories about an American citizen Twittering as he’s being arrested overseas or otherwise getting in trouble where only online connections really have an idea of what’s going on seem to keep growing. I thought that the State Department was ahead of the game if they’d provided some tips on what to do next in such situations.

Actually clicking on that link tells a very different story, unfortunately. The link will take you to a page titled, “International Financial Scams.”

The Consular Affairs Bureau receives daily calls about international scams involving Internet dating, inheritance, work permits, overpayment, and money-laundering. Many scams are initiated through the Internet; victims range in age from 18 to 81 and come from all socio-economic backgrounds.

While such confidence schemes have long existed, the advent of the Internet has greatly increased their prevalence. Individual Americans have lost considerable money on these scams, ranging from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

To put it mildly, the State Department is not ahead of the game on this one. There’s a phone number you can call and not much more. Here are a few tips to follow if you have reason to be concerned about the safety of an American currently overseas.

1. Try to record any message you’ve received. If you get a Twitter message, that might be as easy as taking a screen capture. If you’re in the middle of a Skype conversation and something happens, you might have more difficulties. If you can’t create a recording, write down all the information you have as soon as possible. Before you can call in the cavalry, you need to have details like the full name of the person in trouble and their last known location. An address is best — if all you know is the country your friend is in, tracking him or her down could prove tricky.
2. If the problem is a natural disaster, provide the information you have to the State Department through the Office of American Citizen Services and Crisis Management. The phone number is (202) 647-5225.Trying to get in touch with your friend or a local embassy may prove impossible as natural disasters often disrupt communications. The State Department takes responsibility for gathering information about the well-being of American citizens in such situations.
3. If the problem is medical in nature, there are a few alternatives. If it is not life-threatening, contacting the Bureau of Consular Affairs by phone is generally the simplest method to ensure that the local embassy is aware of the situation. The number is (888) 407-4747. If you’re calling from outside the U.S., call (202) 501-4444. If the situation is an emergency, choosing what to do next can be tricky. The Bureau of Consular Affairs staffs its phone line after hours, but if time is of the essence, it may not be the best option. Unfortunately, most countries do not have a set method of dealing with international requests for help, but if you have precise information about your friend’s location and condition, calling the local emergency responders may be an option. Otherwise, it’s back to the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
4. For situations where an American citizen has been arrested or detained abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs is once again the point of contact. They’ll be able to coordinate with the local embassy to resolve the situation.

There are certain situations in which the State Department can’t provide a lot of help. If, for instance, your friend ran into some financial troubles and ran out of money, the State Department isn’t obligated to do a whole heck of a lot. Someone in a local embassy may take pity, but that can be it in some cases. The State Department will also limit the actions it takes regarding anyone who isn’t an American citizen. You can get messages passed along about natural disasters or medical emergencies, but that’s about it.

Admittedly, there are also some scams out there. I’ve received messages from hacked accounts purportedly sent by friends that claimed they were overseas and needed money immediately. Be willing to dig a little deeper when a ‘friend’ is asking for money, especially if you’re asked to send it anywhere but to your friend.