What to Do If You Get Scammed: A Step-by-Step Guide
Scams happen through many channels and to many people. Work through these steps to protect your money and report it.
It happened. Maybe a stranger talked you into a payment, or a message that looked real turned out to be fake. Take a breath. 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. This page walks through what to do next, in order.
Step 1: Use trusted contact details
The CFPB says to contact law enforcement, federal or state agencies, or financial institutions using trusted websites and phone numbers. Do not use a phone number the scammer gave you. Look up the real one yourself.
If you paid a scammer, contesting the payment with your bank or card issuer is a separate process.
Step 2: Contact law enforcement
The CFPB says to contact your local police or sheriff's office using their nonemergency phone number or website. You can read more about how to report a scam to the police before you call.
Step 3: Decide if it was a scam or a dispute
Not every bad experience is a scam. USAGov says an issue with a legitimate business that has wronged you may not be an actual scam. A store that never shipped your order is a problem, but it may be a complaint rather than a crime.
If your issue is with a legitimate business, USAGov says to visit its complaints section to learn how to file a complaint. That route may fit better than a fraud report.
Step 4: Report it to the federal government
The CFPB says to report fraud or a scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC's guide says the FTC can use scam reports to build cases against scammers. It can also use them to educate the public and to share data about what is happening in your community.
Your report will not by itself pull your money back. It still matters.
Step 5: Report to other federal and state channels
The CFPB says to report fraud or a scam to the FBI Internet Crimes Complaint Center at ic3.gov. It also says to visit the National Association of Attorneys General website to find your state office.
For a fuller walk through the reporting options, see how can I report a scam.
Step 6: Find the right agency for your scam
Some scams fit one agency better than another. USAGov's where to report a scam tool helps you find the best agency or organization to report the scam. USAGov's scams and fraud page also lets you answer a few questions. They show which government agency can help, and how to report a scam to the right place.
Step 7: Watch for follow-up threats
The scammer may contact you again. The CFPB says real government agencies and financial institutions do not threaten you or ask you to send money to protect it.
Step 8: Check for identity theft
What if the scammer got your personal information, not just your money? Our guide on how check for identity theft walks you through what to look for.
What to expect going forward
Reporting helps agencies build cases and warn others. It will not always bring your money back, and no one can promise that it will. What you control is reporting to the right places and watching out for the next trick.