How to Freeze Your Credit for Free

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How to Report a Scam for Free

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How to Report a Scam for Free

You do not need to pay a company, lawyer or recovery service to report a scam. Official U.S. reporting services such as ReportFraud.ftc.gov, IdentityTheft.gov and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center accept reports without charging a filing fee.

Reporting the scam and trying to recover your money are separate steps. When money was sent or an account was compromised, contact the bank, card issuer, payment app, wire company or other payment provider immediately. Then submit the appropriate government and law-enforcement reports.

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Quick Answer

Most scams can be reported free at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. When the scam involved identity theft, use IdentityTheft.gov. When it occurred online or involved cybercrime, also consider filing with the FBI at IC3.gov.

When money was sent, report it first to the company that handled the payment:

  • Credit card issuer
  • Bank or credit union
  • Payment app
  • Wire-transfer company
  • Gift-card issuer
  • Cryptocurrency exchange
  • Postal or delivery company

Ask whether the transaction can be:

  • Stopped
  • Cancelled
  • Recalled
  • Reversed
  • Frozen in the receiving account

Do not pay someone to file a basic government scam report for you. The official reporting services described in this guide are free.

Where Should You Report a Scam?

What happened Where to report it Main purpose
General scam, fraud or deceptive business practice ReportFraud.ftc.gov Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission
Your identity was used without permission IdentityTheft.gov Create an Identity Theft Report and recovery plan
Internet, email, social-media or cyber-enabled crime IC3.gov Provide information to the FBI about internet-related crime
A bank, card issuer or payment company mishandled the problem ConsumerFinance.gov/complaint Submit a complaint about the financial company
Mail was used in the scam USPIS.gov/report Report mail-related crime to Postal Inspectors
Securities or investment fraud SEC complaint or tips portal Report possible violations involving investments
Commodity, forex or certain cryptocurrency fraud CFTC complaint system Report possible commodity-related fraud
Immediate danger, threats or a local suspect 911 or local police Protect people and document possible crime
You are unsure where the scam belongs USA.gov scam reporting tool Find the appropriate agency or organization

You may need to report one incident to several organizations. Each report serves a different purpose.

Reporting a Scam vs Recovering Your Money

A government scam report does not automatically start a payment dispute or refund request.

Payment recovery request Government scam report
Submitted to the bank, card issuer or payment provider Submitted to the FTC, FBI, police or another agency
Requests cancellation, reversal or reimbursement Documents the scam and helps identify criminal patterns
May directly affect the transaction May be shared with investigators and law enforcement
Should begin immediately Should be filed without delaying the payment report
Usually needs exact transaction information Usually needs scammer, communication and loss information

Contact the payment provider first when money is at risk. File the government reports immediately afterward.

For payment-specific recovery steps, see:

What to Do After Sending Money to a Scammer

What to Gather Before Reporting a Scam

Do not delay an urgent payment report while collecting everything. Contact the bank or payment company first, then organize the information for government reports.

Gather what you have:

  • The scammer’s name or claimed identity
  • Business or organization name
  • Telephone numbers
  • Email addresses
  • Website addresses
  • Social-media profiles and usernames
  • Payment-app usernames
  • Mailing addresses
  • Bank or payment destination details
  • Cryptocurrency wallet addresses
  • Dates and times
  • Amount lost
  • Payment method
  • Transaction and confirmation numbers
  • A short description of what happened

Create a simple timeline before completing a long report. It will help you give the same accurate facts to the FTC, IC3, bank and police.

How to Report a Scam to the FTC for Free

The Federal Trade Commission accepts reports about:

  • Imposter scams
  • Online shopping scams
  • Fake prizes and sweepstakes
  • Romance scams
  • Job scams
  • Business opportunity scams
  • Debt relief and credit repair scams
  • Investment scams
  • Fake checks
  • Payment-app scams
  • Gift-card scams
  • Government impersonation
  • Bad business practices

Report online at:

ReportFraud.ftc.gov

You may also contact the FTC by telephone at:

1-877-382-4357

Check the FTC’s official website for current telephone hours and language assistance.

Verify the exact domain before entering information. Scammers sometimes impersonate the FTC or create websites that appear to be government reporting services.

How to File an FTC Scam Report

Go to the official reporting website

Type ReportFraud.ftc.gov directly into your browser.

Select the type of problem

Choose the category that most closely describes the scam or deceptive business practice.

Enter payment information

State whether money was sent, how it was paid, the amount and the payment date.

Identify the scammer

Provide names, companies, telephone numbers, websites, email addresses and usernames when available.

Describe what happened

Explain the initial contact, the story used, the payment request and what happened afterward.

Add your contact information

Provide the amount of personal contact information you are comfortable providing.

Submit and save the result

Save the report number and the recommended next steps supplied after submission.

What Information Does the FTC Report Ask For?

The form may ask:

  • What kind of scam occurred
  • How the scammer first contacted you
  • What the scammer claimed
  • Whether money was paid
  • How much was paid
  • Which payment method was used
  • When the most recent payment occurred
  • The scammer’s name or company
  • The scammer’s contact information
  • Your description of the incident

Contact information can be useful if an investigator needs additional details, but do not include unnecessary sensitive financial information in the narrative.

Do not include:

  • Online banking passwords
  • Card PINs
  • Card security codes
  • One-time login codes
  • Cryptocurrency seed phrases
  • Answers to security questions

A real reporting agency does not need your password or verification code to accept a scam report.

What Happens After You Report to the FTC?

After submission, save:

  • The FTC report number
  • The report confirmation
  • The recommended recovery steps
  • A copy or screenshot of the information submitted

The FTC can use scam reports to:

  • Identify patterns
  • Connect similar reports
  • Build enforcement cases
  • Share information with law-enforcement partners
  • Warn other consumers

An FTC report does not guarantee an individual investigation, telephone call or refund. Keep pursuing the payment recovery request separately.

How to Report Identity Theft for Free

Use IdentityTheft.gov when someone used your personal information without permission to:

  • Open a credit card
  • Obtain a loan
  • Create a bank account
  • Make purchases
  • Open a utility or telephone account
  • File a tax return
  • Claim government benefits
  • Use medical insurance
  • Commit another form of identity fraud

Start at:

IdentityTheft.gov

The service can generate:

  • An FTC Identity Theft Report
  • A personalized recovery plan
  • Letters and forms for affected companies
  • Credit-report recovery steps
  • A checklist for tracking progress

Creating an account lets you return to the recovery plan and update it. When you do not create an account, print or save the Identity Theft Report and recovery plan before leaving the website.

Do not file a false identity-theft report to remove a legitimate debt or transaction.

IdentityTheft.gov vs ReportFraud.ftc.gov

ReportFraud.ftc.gov IdentityTheft.gov
Used for scams, fraud and bad business practices Used when personal information was misused
Helps the FTC identify scam patterns Creates an identity-theft recovery plan
May be used even when no identity theft occurred May generate an FTC Identity Theft Report
Useful for attempted scams and money-loss scams Useful for fraudulent accounts and identity misuse
Does not replace a payment dispute Does not replace contacting affected creditors

You may use both when a scam caused financial loss and identity theft.

When to Report a Scam to FBI IC3

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center accepts information about cyber-enabled crime, including:

  • Online investment fraud
  • Cryptocurrency scams
  • Romance scams
  • Business email compromise
  • Email account compromise
  • Remote-access scams
  • Online shopping fraud
  • Internet extortion
  • Phishing
  • Account takeovers
  • Wire fraud arranged online

File at:

IC3.gov

Use the exact IC3.gov domain. Scammers have impersonated the FBI and IC3 while offering fake recovery services.

What Should You Include in an IC3 Complaint?

Provide as much accurate information as possible.

Information about the affected person

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Email address

Transaction information

  • Total loss
  • Payment dates
  • Transaction amounts
  • Originating account information
  • Recipient account information
  • Wire details
  • Cryptocurrency transaction data

Information about the scammer

  • Name
  • Business name
  • Telephone number
  • Email address
  • Website
  • Social-media profile
  • Internet address when known

Description of the incident

Explain:

  • How contact began
  • What the scammer claimed
  • Why money or information was requested
  • How the payment was sent
  • What happened after payment

Technical information

When available, include:

  • Email headers
  • Cryptocurrency wallet addresses
  • Transaction hashes
  • Malicious website addresses
  • Remote-access software names
  • Other relevant technical details

Keep original evidence. Filing an IC3 complaint does not require you to surrender your original emails, receipts, messages or other records.

When to Submit a CFPB Complaint

A CFPB complaint is generally about the conduct or response of a covered financial company, not directly about the scammer.

It may be appropriate when a:

  • Bank refuses to accept an unauthorized transaction report
  • Credit card issuer mishandles a fraud dispute
  • Payment company ignores submitted evidence
  • Money-transfer provider gives no meaningful response
  • Credit bureau fails to address a reporting dispute
  • Debt collector uses deceptive or abusive practices
  • Credit repair company violates its agreement

Submit at:

ConsumerFinance.gov/complaint

Prepare:

  • The company’s name
  • The account or transaction involved
  • The company’s case number
  • Your original report or complaint
  • The company’s response
  • Supporting evidence
  • The resolution you are requesting

An FTC report concerns the scam. A CFPB complaint concerns how a financial company handled the resulting problem.

For inaccurate credit reporting, first dispute directly with the credit reporting company. Submit a CFPB complaint after that dispute is no longer pending or 45 days have passed.

When Should You File a Police Report?

Call emergency services when:

  • You or someone else is in immediate danger
  • The scammer threatens physical harm
  • Someone is coming to collect money or valuables
  • A person is being held, followed or coerced

A non-emergency police report may help when:

  • The suspect is local
  • Your wallet, card or identification was stolen
  • Identity theft occurred
  • A financial institution asks for documentation
  • Threats or extortion occurred
  • An older or vulnerable adult was exploited
  • Property was taken

Bring or provide:

  • Government identification
  • The FTC report number
  • The Identity Theft Report when applicable
  • Transaction records
  • Messages and contact details
  • A written timeline

Ask for the police report number and instructions for obtaining a copy.

How to Report Mail Fraud for Free

Report scams involving the U.S. mail to the United States Postal Inspection Service.

Examples include:

  • Fake prize letters
  • Fraudulent checks sent by mail
  • Cash requested through the mail
  • Mail-order scams
  • Stolen checks
  • Fraudulent charities using mail
  • Packages used to collect money or valuables

Report through:

When cash or valuables are still in transit, contact the Postal Inspection Service and the carrier immediately to ask whether interception is possible.

A crime report and a package-intercept request are separate actions. Start both promptly when the shipment has not arrived.

How to Report an Investment or Cryptocurrency Scam

Investment fraud may involve:

  • Fake trading platforms
  • Guaranteed returns
  • Romance-investment scams
  • Cryptocurrency investment websites
  • Unregistered brokers
  • False account profits
  • Fees demanded before withdrawals
  • Impersonation of investment professionals

Consider reporting to:

  • The FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • The FBI at IC3.gov
  • The Securities and Exchange Commission
  • The Commodity Futures Trading Commission when applicable
  • The exchange or platform used

Official investment-reporting resources:

Preserve:

  • Wallet addresses
  • Transaction hashes
  • Bank and exchange records
  • Website addresses
  • Account screenshots
  • Messages with the promoter
  • Claims about returns

Do not pay a tax, unlock fee or recovery charge to withdraw supposed investment profits. The displayed balance may be completely fabricated.

How to Report Financial Exploitation of an Older Adult

When an older person or vulnerable adult is being exploited, contact:

  • The bank or payment provider
  • Local law enforcement when appropriate
  • Adult Protective Services
  • The FTC
  • IC3 for internet-enabled fraud
  • A trusted family member or authorized representative

The federal Eldercare Locator can help identify local support services:

Eldercare Locator

Warning signs may include:

  • Unusual large withdrawals
  • Repeated gift-card purchases
  • New wire recipients
  • Secrecy about a caller or online relationship
  • A stranger gaining control of accounts
  • Threats or pressure to keep paying

Stop additional payments first. Discuss how the scam happened after the accounts and person are safe.

Report the Scam Account, Advertisement or Listing

Also report the scam to the platform where it appeared.

This may include:

  • An online marketplace
  • A social-media network
  • A dating service
  • A job website
  • An email provider
  • A messaging application
  • A payment app
  • A web-hosting company

Report:

  • The user profile
  • The advertisement
  • The listing
  • The messages
  • The payment request
  • The fraudulent website

Reporting to the platform may help remove an account or advertisement, but it does not replace reporting financial loss to the payment provider or government agencies.

Can You Report a Scam Even if You Did Not Pay?

Yes. Report an attempted scam when you:

  • Received an imposter call
  • Found a fraudulent website
  • Received a fake invoice
  • Received a suspicious job offer
  • Were asked to buy gift cards
  • Received a fake prize notice
  • Spotted a misleading advertisement
  • Received a phishing email or text

Your report may help authorities identify:

  • Frequently used telephone numbers
  • Fraudulent websites
  • Emerging scam stories
  • Payment destinations
  • Groups of related complaints

You do not need to lose money before reporting a scam to the FTC.

Should You Report the Scam to More Than One Place?

Often, yes.

For example, an online bank impersonation scam involving a wire transfer may require reports to:

  • The sending bank for a wire recall
  • The receiving bank when identified
  • The FTC
  • The FBI IC3
  • Local police when appropriate
  • The CFPB if the bank mishandles the complaint

An identity-theft scam involving a fraudulent credit card may require:

  • The card issuer
  • IdentityTheft.gov
  • The three credit bureaus
  • The FTC or IC3
  • Police when needed

Give each organization the same accurate core facts. Do not change who initiated the payment or how the scam occurred.

Sample Scam Report Description

On [date], I was contacted by [telephone, email, text, social media or website] by a person claiming to be [identity or organization].

The person said [brief description of the story] and instructed me to [send money, provide account information, install software or take another action].

I sent [$ amount] on [date] using [payment method] to [recipient name, account, username or wallet]. The transaction number is [number].

I later discovered the claim was false because [explain how the scam was discovered].

I contacted [bank, card issuer or payment provider] on [date] under case number [number]. The payment is currently [pending, completed, recalled, disputed or unknown].

The scammer used the following contact information: [telephone numbers, email addresses, websites and usernames].

Use facts, dates and direct descriptions. Avoid guessing about the scammer’s real identity or location.

What Evidence Should You Preserve?

Keep:

  • Bank and card statements
  • Transaction receipts
  • Wire confirmations
  • Gift cards and purchase receipts
  • Checks and money-order receipts
  • Cryptocurrency transaction hashes
  • Wallet addresses
  • Emails with full headers
  • Text messages
  • Social-media conversations
  • Advertisements and listings
  • Website screenshots
  • Telephone numbers
  • Voicemails
  • Shipping and tracking records
  • Remote-access software names
  • Bank and government report numbers

Do not delete the conversation immediately. Preserve the evidence first, then block the scammer.

Keep original digital files whenever possible. Screenshots are useful, but original messages may contain additional technical information.

Save Every Report and Case Number

Create one record containing:

Organization Date reported Report or case number Next step
Bank or payment company [Date] [Number] [Follow-up date]
Federal Trade Commission [Date] [Number] [Recovery steps]
FBI IC3 [Date] [Number] [Preserve evidence]
Police [Date] [Number] [Obtain report copy]
Other agency or platform [Date] [Number] [Requested action]

Save:

  • Submission confirmations
  • Confirmation emails
  • Downloaded reports
  • Case numbers
  • Representative names
  • Follow-up dates

What if Nobody Contacts You After the Report?

Government reporting systems collect information for possible investigation and enforcement. Filing a report does not guarantee that:

  • An investigator will contact you
  • A criminal case will be opened
  • The scammer will be identified
  • Your money will be recovered
  • You will receive status updates

Continue working directly with:

  • The bank
  • The card issuer
  • The payment provider
  • The merchant or platform
  • Your local police department when appropriate

Be suspicious of an unexpected caller who claims to be following up on your FTC or IC3 report and demands payment.

Will Reporting a Scam Get Your Money Back?

Reporting can support recovery efforts, but it does not guarantee reimbursement.

Recovery depends on:

  • The payment method
  • How quickly the transaction was reported
  • Whether it remains pending
  • Whether the recipient withdrew the funds
  • Whether the transfer was authorized
  • The provider’s rules and legal obligations
  • The available evidence
Payment method Immediate recovery request
Credit card Contact the card issuer and report fraud or the appropriate billing dispute
Debit card or bank transfer Notify the bank immediately and request an investigation or reversal
Payment app Report inside the app and contact the linked bank or card issuer
Bank wire Request an urgent wire recall
Money-transfer service Ask whether the transfer can be stopped before collection
Gift card Contact the card issuer and ask it to freeze unused value
Cryptocurrency Contact the exchange and report the destination wallet
Cash shipment Request package interception immediately

Beware of Paid Reporting and Recovery Scams

After a scam report, you may be contacted by someone claiming to be:

  • An FTC investigator
  • An FBI or IC3 employee
  • A lawyer
  • A cryptocurrency recovery specialist
  • A government recovery agent
  • A bank investigator

The person may demand:

  • A filing fee
  • A tax payment
  • An investigation fee
  • A court charge
  • A cryptocurrency payment
  • A percentage of the promised recovery in advance

Do not pay someone who unexpectedly claims your money has been recovered. Contact the agency or company through an official website or known telephone number.

No legitimate reporter needs:

  • Your banking password
  • Your one-time verification code
  • Your cryptocurrency seed phrase
  • Remote access to your device
  • Gift-card payment

Can You Report a Scam for a Family Member?

You can help a family member organize evidence and complete many scam reports.

However:

  • The bank may need to speak directly with the account holder.
  • A financial company may require written authorization.
  • A CFPB complaint submitted by a representative may require proof of permission.
  • Police may need a statement from the affected person.

Help the person:

  • Stop additional payments
  • Contact the financial institution
  • Save messages and receipts
  • Change compromised passwords
  • Complete FTC or identity-theft reports
  • Record every report number

Avoid blame. Securing the person and accounts is more important than discussing why the scam was convincing.

What if the Scammer Is Threatening You?

Call 911 or the appropriate emergency service when:

  • Someone threatens immediate physical harm
  • A courier is coming to your home
  • The scammer knows your location and threatens violence
  • A person is being held or coerced
  • Someone is attempting to enter your property

Do not:

  • Meet the scammer
  • Confront a suspected money mule
  • Travel to recover money yourself
  • Hand cash or valuables to a courier
  • Follow instructions to keep the matter secret

Scam Reporting Mistakes to Avoid

Paying a third party to file a basic report

Official FTC, IC3, identity-theft and other government reporting systems are free.

Reporting only to the FTC

Also contact the payment provider when money was sent.

Waiting until all evidence is organized

Start the payment recovery request immediately.

Deleting the messages

Save the evidence before blocking the scammer.

Using a sponsored search result

Type official government domains directly.

Changing the facts between reports

Accurately explain who initiated the transaction and how it occurred.

Including passwords or security codes

Government reporting forms do not need those credentials.

Expecting the FTC to issue a personal refund

Continue the recovery claim with the bank or payment provider.

Paying a recovery service

Guaranteed recovery for an advance fee is a major warning sign.

Losing the report numbers

Save each confirmation and case number.

Free Scam Reporting Checklist

Stop communicating with the scammer

Preserve the messages before blocking the account or number.

Contact the payment provider

Ask whether the money can be stopped, recalled or reversed.

Secure affected accounts

Change passwords and revoke unfamiliar devices.

Prepare a timeline

List the contact, claims, payments and discovery of the scam.

Report to the FTC

Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov for scams, fraud and bad business practices.

Report identity theft

Use IdentityTheft.gov when personal information was misused.

File with IC3 when relevant

Report internet and cyber-enabled crime.

Use specialized reporting channels

Contact the CFPB, Postal Inspection Service, SEC, CFTC or police when appropriate.

Save every confirmation

Keep report numbers, evidence and follow-up dates together.

Watch for recovery scams

Do not pay anyone who promises guaranteed recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it cost money to report a scam?

No. Official services such as ReportFraud.ftc.gov, IdentityTheft.gov and IC3.gov do not charge consumers to submit reports.

Where should most scams be reported?

Report scams, fraud and bad business practices to the FTC through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Can I report a scam by telephone?

You can contact the FTC at 1-877-382-4357. Check the FTC’s official website for current hours and available language assistance.

Should I report the scam before contacting my bank?

When money is at risk, contact the bank or payment provider immediately. Then submit the appropriate government reports.

Will the FTC get my money back?

An FTC report helps authorities identify patterns and investigate scams. It does not replace a refund, reversal or fraud claim with the payment provider.

Can I report a scam when I did not lose money?

Yes. The FTC accepts reports about scams you experienced or spotted, even when you did not pay.

Can I report anonymously?

The FTC allows you to choose how much contact information to provide. Providing contact information may help if additional details are needed.

What is the difference between fraud and identity theft?

A scam or fraud may involve deception for money or information. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without permission.

Should I use ReportFraud.ftc.gov or IdentityTheft.gov?

Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov for scams and fraudulent business practices. Use IdentityTheft.gov when your identity or personal information was misused. Some incidents require both.

When should I report to IC3?

Consider IC3 when the scam involved the internet, email, social media, cryptocurrency, online investment fraud, account compromise or another cyber-enabled crime.

Will IC3 contact me?

Filing does not guarantee that IC3 or another agency will contact you or open an individual investigation. Preserve your evidence and continue working with the payment provider.

What should I include in an IC3 report?

Include the total loss, transactions, recipient information, scammer details, websites, emails and a clear description of what happened.

Should I upload all my evidence to IC3?

Follow the form instructions and retain the original evidence. An investigating agency may request it later.

When should I file a CFPB complaint?

Use the CFPB when a covered bank, card issuer, credit bureau, payment company or other financial provider mishandles your complaint or dispute.

Is a CFPB complaint the same as an FTC report?

No. An FTC report concerns the scam or deceptive practice. A CFPB complaint generally concerns how a financial company handled the problem.

Should I file a police report?

Consider one when there are threats, local suspects, stolen identification, identity theft, financial exploitation or documentation requested by a financial institution.

How do I report mail fraud?

Report it to the United States Postal Inspection Service through its official reporting page or by calling 1-877-876-2455.

Where do I report an investment scam?

Report it to the FTC and IC3 and consider the SEC or CFTC complaint system depending on the type of investment.

Can I report a scam for someone else?

You can help complete reports, but banks and certain complaint systems may require authorization or direct participation from the affected person.

What if the scammer threatens me?

Call 911 when there is immediate danger. Do not meet the scammer or a courier and do not hand over additional money or valuables.

Should I pay a company to recover my money?

Be extremely cautious. Anyone demanding an upfront fee and guaranteeing recovery may be operating a second scam.

Will a government agency ask for gift cards?

No legitimate government agency requires gift-card numbers as payment for filing, investigating or recovering money.

What should I do with the report number?

Save it with your transaction records and other case numbers. It may be useful when speaking with a bank, police department or investigator.

Official Free Scam Reporting Resources

Bottom Line

You can report a scam through official government channels without paying a filing fee. Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov for general scams, IdentityTheft.gov when your personal information was misused and IC3.gov for internet-enabled crime.

When money was sent, contact the payment provider first and ask whether the transaction can be stopped, recalled or reversed. Save every receipt, message, report number and case confirmation.

The practical rule: Report the payment for recovery, report the scam for enforcement and never pay someone who promises guaranteed recovery.

This article provides general U.S. consumer information and does not provide individualized legal, financial or cybersecurity advice. Reporting destinations and procedures may change depending on the type of scam and circumstances.

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