How to Report a Scam: Where to Go and What to Bring

You can report a scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, or at DoNotCall.gov if you lost no money. Here is which one fits your case and what to gather first.

You got scammed. Maybe you lost money. Maybe you caught it in time. Either way, you can report it, and the report helps even when it does not bring your money back. This page walks you through where to report a scam and what to have ready before you start.

Gather what happened before you file anywhere

Before you file anything, sit down and pull the story together. The FBI says a scam report should include the scammer's name, contact dates, and how the scammer reached you. It should also list phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and websites the scammer used.

The FBI says your report should cover the payment method and where you sent funds. It should describe your interactions with the scammer and the instructions you were given. Keep original documentation, emails, faxes, and logs of communications, the FBI says.

Do not wait until you have every last detail.

Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

The FTC says if you see a scam, fraud, or a bad business practice, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you lost money to a phone scam, the FTC says to report it there too. The same goes if anyone demanded that you wire money.

If you know the exact date and time of the call, the FTC says to include that as well. The information you provide helps the FTC and its law enforcement partners track down the scammers behind the call.

Be honest about what a report does. The FTC says it can't resolve your individual report. What it does with reports is investigate and bring cases to stop wrongdoing. The FTC says scam reports give it what it needs to bring cases against the people running the scams. It can also educate the public and share data about what is happening in your community.

The FBI says to report any scam

The FBI says to report a scam no matter the dollar amount. A small loss counts. So does a loss you feel embarrassed about. Report it.

Didn't lose money? Report the call at DoNotCall.gov

Maybe you hung up before paying anything. Maybe the caller asked for gift cards and you knew the game. You can still report it.

The FTC says if you didn't lose money and just want to report a call, visit DoNotCall.gov to fill out a reporting form. Also report the date and time of the call, if you're able to.

These reports do real work. The FTC says it studies complaint data and trends to spot illegal callers by the way they make their calls. It takes the illegal callers' phone numbers you report and releases them to the public each business day. That release helps phone companies and other partners working on call-blocking and call-labeling solutions. Your reports also help law enforcement identify the people behind illegal calls.

Not sure which agency handles your scam? Use USAGov's tool

Scams come at you online, by mail, phone, text, social media, in person, and through new technologies, USAGov says. Scammers use tricks and lies to steal your money or personal information. With that many angles, it is easy to feel lost about where a report belongs.

USAGov has a where to report a scam tool. It helps you find the best agency or organization to report the scam. USAGov says you can answer a few questions to learn which government agency can help with a scam. It also shows you how to report it to the right place. If your case does not fit the boxes above, start there.

Is it a scam or a complaint against a business?

Some bad experiences fall short of a scam. USAGov says an issue with a legitimate business that has wronged you may not be an actual scam.

When a real company is the problem, USAGov says its complaints section explains how to file a complaint.

What to do next

Reporting is one piece of a bigger response. If you paid a scammer, there is more to do about the money itself. See what to do if u get scammed for that side of things.

If the scam ran through a website, you can also report the site itself. Learn how do I report a scam website. And if someone hit your food benefits, there is a separate route: the EBT fraud report page covers it.

You did the right thing by looking this up.