How to Report a Scam: Complete Guide for 2026

Reporting a scam might feel pointless after the fact, but it matters more than you think. Each report helps law enforcement identify patterns, track scam operations, and ultimately shut them down. The FTC used consumer reports to return over $392 million to scam victims in 2025 alone.

Whether you lost money, shared personal information, or simply received a scam attempt, here's exactly where and how to report it.

Why Reporting Matters

Many people don't report scams because they feel embarrassed or think nothing will happen. But reporting:

• Helps investigators connect individual cases to larger criminal operations
• Triggers consumer alerts that warn others about emerging scams
• Builds legal cases that lead to enforcement actions and shutdowns
• May help you recover funds in some cases where authorities intervene
• Protects future victims by getting scam websites, numbers, and accounts taken down

Even if you weren't scammed — just targeted — your report adds valuable data.

Where to Report: By Scam Type

Phishing Emails

1. Your email provider: Use the built-in "Report phishing" button (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo all have one)
2. Anti-Phishing Working Group: Forward the email to reportphishing@apwg.org
3. The impersonated company: Most large companies have abuse reporting addresses (e.g., spoof@amazon.com, abuse@paypal.com)
4. FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov

Scam Text Messages (Smishing)

1. Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) — this works with all major carriers
2. Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
3. Block the number on your phone after forwarding

Phone Scams and Robocalls

1. FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
2. Do Not Call Registry: donotcall.gov/report (if you're registered and still getting calls)
3. Your phone carrier: Most offer spam reporting features
4. FCC: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov (for caller ID spoofing violations)

Online Shopping and Fake Website Scams

1. FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
2. Better Business Bureau: bbb.org/scamtracker
3. Your payment provider: File a dispute with your credit card company or PayPal
4. The platform: If you bought through Amazon, eBay, or another marketplace, report the seller through their system
5. Google Safe Browsing: Report the phishing site at safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/

Romance Scams

1. FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
2. FBI's IC3: ic3.gov (Internet Crime Complaint Center)
3. The dating platform: Report the fake profile through the app or website
4. Your bank: If you sent money, report the transactions as fraud

Identity Theft

1. IdentityTheft.gov — the FTC's dedicated identity theft resource. This creates a personalized recovery plan and generates official reports.
2. Credit bureaus — place fraud alerts or credit freezes:
   • Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
   • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
   • TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872
3. Local police: File a police report for documentation
4. IRS Identity Protection: If your tax identity was stolen, file Form 14039 with the IRS

Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams

1. SEC: sec.gov/tcr (securities fraud)
2. CFTC: cftc.gov/complaint (commodities and crypto fraud)
3. FBI's IC3: ic3.gov
4. Your state's attorney general: Consumer protection division
5. FINRA: finra.org/investors/have-problem (broker or investment advisor fraud)

Government Impersonation Scams

1. FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
2. The impersonated agency directly:
   • IRS scams: Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484 or tigta.gov
   • Social Security scams: oig.ssa.gov
   • Medicare scams: 1-800-633-4227
3. FBI's IC3: ic3.gov

Social Media Scams

1. The platform directly:
   • Facebook/Instagram: Use the "Report" button on the post, ad, or profile
   • Twitter/X: Report through the app
   • TikTok: Report the video or account
2. FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
3. BBB Scam Tracker: bbb.org/scamtracker

How to File an Effective Report

The more detail you provide, the more useful your report will be. Gather this information before filing:

What to Include

• Date and time of the scam contact
• Method of contact (email, phone, text, social media, website)
• The scammer's details — phone number, email address, website URL, social media profile, or name used
• Screenshots of messages, emails, websites, or ads
• What was said or requested — describe the scam in detail
• What you did — whether you clicked, responded, or sent money
• How much money was lost (if applicable)
• Payment method used (credit card, wire transfer, gift card, crypto)
• Any reference or confirmation numbers you received

Tips for Better Reports

• Be specific and factual — stick to what happened
• Include exact dollar amounts
• Save all evidence before the scammer deletes accounts or messages
• If you have multiple forms of evidence (texts AND emails), include everything
• Note if the scammer referenced personal details they shouldn't have known

What Happens After You Report

• FTC reports go into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a database used by over 2,800 law enforcement agencies
• IC3 reports are reviewed by the FBI and referred to appropriate agencies
• Credit bureau reports trigger monitoring and protection measures
• Platform reports can lead to account suspensions and takedowns

You may not receive a personal follow-up on every report, but the data is actively used to build cases against major scam operations.

State-Level Resources

Every state has a consumer protection office, usually within the Attorney General's office. Search "[your state] attorney general consumer protection" to find yours. State AGs have shut down numerous scam operations based on consumer complaints.

Document Everything with ScamSecurityCheck

Before you report a scam, analyze it with ScamSecurityCheck's scanner to get a detailed breakdown of the scam patterns involved. Our tool identifies the type of scam, specific manipulation tactics used, and risk level — information that can strengthen your report to authorities.

Simply paste the scam text, upload the suspicious screenshot, or enter the URL into our scanner. You'll get an instant analysis that documents the threat, which you can reference in your official reports.

Every report counts. The scam that targeted you may be targeting thousands of others. Analyze suspicious messages with ScamSecurityCheck, then report what you find to the appropriate authorities.