Fraud Cleanup

How to Report Fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

ReportFraud.ftc.gov is where the FTC says to report a scam. Here is what the FTC does with them, what to gather first, and when to go somewhere else.

What ReportFraud.ftc.gov is and what the FTC does with your report

ReportFraud.ftc.gov is the reporting site for the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC says that if you see a scam, fraud, or a bad business practice, you should tell the FTC there.

A report is not a claim for your own money. The FTC says it cannot resolve your individual report. What it does instead is use reports to investigate and bring cases that stop wrongdoing. The FTC's guide says it uses scam reports to build cases against scammers. It also uses them to teach the public and to share data about scams in your community.

For a phone scam, the FTC says your report helps it and its law enforcement partners track down the scammers behind the call.

When to use ReportFraud.ftc.gov versus other routes

Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov when a scam cost you money or tried to. The FTC says to report a phone scam you lost money to at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. It also says that if anyone demanded that you wire money, you should report it there. Someone pretending to be from the FTC itself belongs here too. The FTC says to report FTC impersonation scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

The route changes if you lost no money and just want to report a call. The FTC says that if you lost no money and just want to report a call, visit DoNotCall.gov. The FTC analyzes complaint data and trends to identify illegal callers based on calling patterns. It also releases the phone numbers you report to the public each business day. Releasing reported phone numbers helps phone companies and other partners working on call-blocking and call-labeling solutions.

Identity theft has its own door. USAGov says to report identity theft to the FTC online at IdentityTheft.gov. You can also report by phone. For more on that route, read about the FTC identity theft report.

What to gather before you file

The FBI says to report a scam no matter the dollar amount.

The FBI says a scam report should include these details:

  • The scammer's name, the dates you were in contact, and how the scammer reached you.
  • Phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and websites the scammer used.
  • The payment method and where you sent funds.
  • A short description of your interactions and the instructions you were given.

For a phone scam, the FTC says to also report the exact date and time of the call if you know it. The FBI says to keep original documentation, emails, faxes, and logs of communications.

What happens after you submit

The FTC says it cannot resolve your individual report, so no one will work it like a claim.

The FTC says your reports also help law enforcement identify the people behind illegal calls.

Did you report a call through DoNotCall.gov? The FTC releases the phone numbers you report to the public each business day. The FTC says releasing reported phone numbers helps phone carriers and other partners working on call-blocking and call-labeling solutions.

Where to report if your situation fits a different agency

USAGov says scams happen online, by mail, phone, text, social media, in person, and through new technologies. Scammers use tricks and lies to steal your money or personal information. But USAGov also says a real business may have wronged you without it being a scam. If that is your situation, USAGov says to visit its complaints section to learn how to file a complaint.

Not sure where to report? USAGov's where to report a scam tool helps you find the best agency or group for your report. USAGov says you can answer a few questions. That shows you which agency can help with a scam and how to report it to the right place. For a broader look at your options, see how can I report a scam.

Two situations have their own guides here. If the calls keep coming, read report scam calls. If the scammer ran a website, read how do I report a scam website.

The CFPB says you can submit a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

Sources