How to Report a Scam to the FTC, FBI, and Your State

You were scammed. You have called your bank and changed your passwords. Now it is time to report it. Reporting a scam might feel pointless, but it is one of the most important things you can do, both for yourself and for the next potential victim.

Every report goes into a database that law enforcement uses to identify patterns, track criminal organizations, and build cases. Your single report becomes part of a larger picture that eventually takes scammers down.

Here is exactly where to report, step by step.

Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

The Federal Trade Commission is the primary federal agency that collects scam reports from consumers. Their reporting website is reportfraud.ftc.gov.

The process takes about 10 minutes. You will be asked to describe what happened, how you were contacted, how you paid, and how much you lost. You do not need an attorney or any special documents to file.

What happens after you file? Your report goes into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a database used by more than 2,800 law enforcement agencies across the country. While the FTC does not investigate individual cases, they use reports to identify scam trends and bring enforcement actions against major fraud operations.

You will receive a reference number. Save it. You may need it for your bank, your insurance company, or your tax return.

Report Internet Crimes to the FBI at IC3.gov

If the scam happened online, by email, or through any internet-connected service, file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

IC3 specifically handles internet-facilitated crimes including phishing, romance scams, investment fraud, business email compromise, ransomware, and tech support scams.

The IC3 filing process asks for details about the crime, the suspect (if known), and your financial loss. Be as specific as possible. Include email addresses, phone numbers, website URLs, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and any other identifying information about the scammer.

IC3 receives hundreds of thousands of complaints per year and has helped recover billions of dollars. For wire transfer fraud specifically, the IC3 Recovery Asset Team has a strong track record of freezing transfers before scammers can withdraw the money, but only if you report quickly.

Report to Your State Attorney General

Every state has an attorney general's office with a consumer protection division that accepts scam reports. To find yours, search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" or visit naag.org for a directory of all state AG offices.

State AG offices investigate fraud that affects consumers in their state. They can bring lawsuits, issue cease-and-desist orders, and in some cases recover money for victims.

Many state AG offices also maintain public databases of known scams affecting their state. Your report helps them warn other residents about active scams in your area.

File a Local Police Report

Visit your local police department or call their non-emergency number to file a fraud report. While local police may not be able to investigate internet-based scams, the police report serves several important purposes:

• Some banks require a police report number to process fraud claims
• Insurance claims for fraud losses often require a police report
• Tax deductions for theft losses require documentation, and a police report is strong evidence
• If you later pursue legal action, a contemporaneous police report strengthens your case

Ask for a copy of the report and the report number. Keep it with your other scam documentation.

Report to Specialized Agencies

Depending on the type of scam, additional agencies may be relevant:

• IRS impersonation scams: Report to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484 or tigta.gov
• Social Security scams: Report to the SSA Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov
• Mail fraud: Report to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov
• Medicare scams: Report to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
• Investment fraud: Report to the SEC at sec.gov/tcr or FINRA at finra.org/investors/have-problem

Why Reporting Matters Even If You Feel It Will Not Help

Many scam victims skip reporting because they assume nothing will happen. That is understandable but incorrect. Here is why reporting matters:

Pattern recognition. Law enforcement needs volume to identify patterns. Your report might be the one that connects the dots on a major operation. The FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network has been the starting point for cases that shut down fraud rings stealing millions.

Financial recovery. If authorities eventually take action against the scammers, victims who filed reports are more likely to be included in restitution orders.

Tax benefits. Reporting creates the documentation trail you need if you plan to claim a theft loss deduction on your taxes. A CPA who specializes in fraud cases will want to see your FTC report, IC3 complaint, and police report. Visit ScamTaxHelp.com to connect with a CPA who handles these cases.

What to Expect After Reporting

Be prepared for the reality that you will likely not hear back from most agencies. The FTC, IC3, and state AG offices receive enormous volumes of reports. They use reports for pattern analysis and enforcement priorities rather than individual case investigation.

That does not mean your report was ignored. It means it became part of a larger effort. And if law enforcement does bring a case related to the scam that affected you, having a report on file puts you in a stronger position for potential restitution.

You did the right thing by reporting. Now focus on protecting yourself going forward.