How and Where to Report Scams & Frauds

 

Scams and frauds have been around for centuries, but technology has made it easier for criminals to target people—especially online. If you ever come across something suspicious, knowing how and where to report it can protect not just you, but others too.

Why Reporting Matters

Reporting scams isn’t just about getting justice—it’s also about warning others and helping authorities track down scammers. Many scams operate on a large scale, and every report helps build a bigger picture.

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Common Types of Scams

• Phone scams – Calls claiming you owe money, your grandchild is in trouble, or “Microsoft tech support” needs to fix your computer.

• Email scams (phishing) – Fake emails asking you to click a link, verify an account, or send personal information.

• Text message scams (smishing) – Short messages with urgent requests or suspicious links.

• Online shopping scams – Fake stores or deals that seem too good to be true.

• Romance scams – People pretending to form a relationship to eventually ask for money.

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Where to Report Scams

In the United States:

1. Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

   • Website: reportfraud.ftc.gov

   • Handles: General scams, identity theft, and misleading business practices.

2. Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

   • Website: www.ic3.gov

   • Joint effort between the FBI and National White Collar Crime Center; for online scams and cybercrimes.

3. State Attorney General’s Office

   • Every state has its own consumer protection division. Look up “[Your State] Attorney General Report Scam” online.

4. Local Police

   • Especially important if you lost money or were threatened. They may direct you to other agencies too.

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For Email, Phone, and Text Scams:

• Email scams – Forward suspicious emails to:

  • phishing@irs.gov (tax scams)

  • reportphishing@apwg.org (general phishing)

• Phone scams – Report to the FTC at donotcall.gov if you’re on the National Do Not Call Registry.

• Text scams – Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) on most mobile carriers.

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Special Case: Suspicious Account Notices

Sometimes scammers pretend to be a trusted company—like PayPal, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, or your bank—claiming there’s “unusual activity” or that you need to “confirm your account.” These are often phishing attempts.

If you receive a suspicious message like this:

1. Do NOT click on any links or download attachments.

2. Go directly to the company’s official website or app (type the address yourself, don’t use a link in the message).

3. Look for their fraud or security contact email—most companies have a special address, such as phishing@paypal.com or reportphishing@apple.com.

4. Forward the suspicious message to that address.

5. If it’s a text message, you can also forward it to 7726 (SPAM) on most mobile carriers.

6. After notifying the company, you can also report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Tip: Legitimate companies will never ask for your password, your full Social Security number, or to send money to “verify” your account.

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How to Report Safely

• Do not click suspicious links or open attachments to “gather more proof.”

• Take screenshots if possible (emails, texts, pop-up messages).

• Note the date, time, and method (phone, email, text, website).

• When reporting, never send personal information unless you are sure you’re on the correct, official website.

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If You’ve Already Shared Information

• Password – Change it immediately.

• Bank details – Call your bank or credit card company and explain what happened.

• Personal information – Consider placing a fraud alert with credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

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Final Tip

Scammers count on people feeling embarrassed and staying silent. The faster you report, the better the chances of stopping them—and saving someone else from being their next target.