Being targeted by a scam can leave you feeling frustrated and unsure where to turn. It’s easy to wonder whether reporting it will even make a difference. However, reporting scams, even seemingly small ones, ultimately helps protect you and prevents others from falling victim to the same tricks.
In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission received more than 2.6 million fraud reports from U.S. consumers, with total losses exceeding $12 billion. Many of those cases were resolved faster because victims took immediate action to report what happened.
Learning how and where to report scams will help turn a stressful situation into an informed response that can mitigate the damages and protect you from future incidents.
Key Takeaways
- Reporting scams helps agencies connect individual cases to larger patterns and stop repeat offenders. Even one detailed report can help prevent others from being targeted in the same way.
- Use verified reporting tools like those provided by the FTC and FBI. When financial accounts are involved, contact your bank or card provider directly to freeze activity and dispute unauthorized charges.
- Collect evidence before submitting your report. Screenshots, emails, and payment details give investigators what they need to take action while also helping you document proof for recovery.
- After reporting, focus on recovery and prevention. Update passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep an eye on your accounts to detect any new suspicious activity early.
Why Reporting Scams Is Important
Reporting a scam may seem insignificant, but those reports are what help investigators spot patterns and take action before others are affected. Agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) share this data across networks to track emerging tactics and coordinate investigations.
The FBI notes that many fraud cases likely go unreported, meaning the true scale of online scams is far greater than the data shows.
Each submission adds detail to the larger picture, helping agencies identify repeat offenders and warn others before more people are targeted.
Where to Report Scams
If you have fallen victim to a scam or an attempted scam, your first course of action should be to report the incident to the proper agency.
Different types of fraud fall under the jurisdiction of various agencies; however, the first place to start is ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This is the central reporting system used by federal, state, and local law enforcement. After submitting your report there, you can also contact the specialized agencies, depending on the scam type.
Email or Phishing Scams
Where to Report It:
- Forward any suspicious emails to [email protected].
- Report to Anti-Phishing Working Group. This is an industry database used by major email providers.
Phishing scams are one of the most common types of fraud and often appear as legitimate messages from trusted companies or government agencies. These methods have gotten more advanced, with scammers using realistic logos and urgent language to trick you into clicking on malicious links or sharing your personal information. If you receive a suspicious email, don’t click any links or download attachments. Instead, immediately forward it to the addresses above and delete it from your inbox.
Phone Call Scams and Robocalls
Where to Report It:
- DoNotCall.gov: Use this if you receive unwanted or illegal robocalls.
- FCC Consumer Complaint Center: For spam calls or caller ID spoofing (numbers pretending to be someone else).
Phone scammers typically disguise their numbers or claim to represent government agencies to create urgency or fear. Even if you didn’t lose money, reporting the attempt helps stop the same number from targeting others. If the call demanded payment or personal details, you should note that in your report as well.
Text Message (Smishing) Scams
- Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM): This works for most major carriers in the U.S.
- FCC Consumer Complaint Center: Use this if you continue to receive spam texts or robocalls after reporting them to your carrier.
SMS scams (also known as smishing) show up right on your phone, usually as “urgent” messages about deliveries, employment opportunities, banking alerts, or account problems. They use short links and familiar brand names to make the message look legitimate. If something seems off, forward the message to your carrier and screenshot the message before deleting it from your phone.
Social Media or Online Marketplace Scams
- Use the platform’s reporting tools. For example, “Report Seller” on Facebook Marketplace or “Report Account” on Instagram.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov). Use this for scams involving money transfers or impersonation.
Fake profiles, counterfeit listings, and impersonated accounts are common on social platforms. Scammers may position themselves as trusted sellers or even friends to lower your guard. Be cautious of newly created accounts or marketplace sellers who refuse to meet in person or on video chat.
Banking and Credit Card Scams
Where to Report It:
- Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to freeze your account and dispute any unauthorized charges.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): For unresolved issues with banks, lenders, or credit reporting agencies.
- Report directly to the specific institution if the scam claims to represent a real bank or card provider. For example, if the scam impersonates Bank of America, report to [email protected].
Scammers may pose as your bank or credit card provider, claiming there’s an issue with your account. This can look like a fake security alert asking you to “verify” your card details or transfer funds for protection. If you receive one of these messages, contact your bank directly using the number on the back of your card. Once your account is secured, you can submit a report through the FTC or CFPB.
Online Shopping and Fake Website Scams
Where to Report It:
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov): Use this to report fake websites, counterfeit goods, or fraudulent international sellers.
- Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker: This reporting tool is good for reporting fraudulent retailers or misleading online listings.
- Notify the impersonated company if the scam used its branding. Amazon has a Report Suspicious Emails or Websites page and accepts messages at [email protected].
You might come across an online store offering massive discounts or limited-time “flash sales” that sound too good to be true. Many of these are fake storefronts built to collect payments or personal details. Before entering any information, check that the website’s URL starts with https:// and verify the seller’s contact details. If your order never arrives, save your documentation and report it through the channels above.
Data Breach Scams
- IdentityTheft.gov: The FTC’s official recovery site for identity theft and compromised data.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov): For breaches involving hacking, ransom demands, or financial theft.
- Get in touch with your affected company or service provider. Most have dedicated breach-response forms or security hotlines.
When news breaks of a major data breach, scammers often take advantage by posing as representatives of the affected company. They’ll send fake “security alerts” asking you to verify your information or pay for protection services. If you get a message like this, report the attempt to the company’s fraud team and use IdentityTheft.gov to monitor your accounts and set up identity alerts.
Investment and Crypto Scams
Where to Report It:
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): For investment scams involving securities, stocks, or fake investment advisors.
- Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC): For fraud involving commodities, forex, or futures trading.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov): For crypto scams, fake trading platforms, or social media investment offers.
Investment and cryptocurrency scams have surged recently as more people turn to online trading and digital assets. Scammers use fake investment or crypto platforms, social media messages, and spoofed dashboards to create a sense of legitimacy before disappearing with your “invested” funds.
How to Effectively Report a Scam
It’s easy to feel frantic or rush through the process after realizing you’ve been targeted. Take your time filling out everything carefully and include all relevant evidence in the submission.
Gather Evidence
Before you report the scam, collect as much information as possible. Take screenshots of emails and text messages. And save receipts, phone numbers, and account details connected to the scam. If you made a payment, note the date, amount, and method used, especially if it involved a bank transfer or cryptocurrency wallet. The more specific details you can provide, the easier it will be for investigators to connect your report with others.
Report Through Official Channels
You should always use the official .gov websites or verified company portals when submitting your report. Avoid third-party “reporting” sites that charge fees or promise to recover your money. These are often actually scams themselves.
What to Expect After You Report
Most agencies won’t respond directly to individual reports. While you may not hear back after submitting your report, it still helps strengthen enforcement and protect others from falling victim to the same scam.
How to Protect Yourself After Reporting
After a scam attempt, your first step should always be to report it. Once that’s done, the next move is to secure your accounts and take a few easy steps to prevent another attack.
Change Passwords and Enable 2FA
Start with any accounts that might be linked to the scam. Change your passwords right away and turn on two-factor authentication where you can. That extra layer makes it much harder for anyone to break in.
Use Unique Passwords
Beyond simply changing your passwords, avoid reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts. Doing so means that a single breach will give scammers access to everything. Instead, use a password manager such as Nordpass or Google Password Manager to create and securely store unique, strong passwords.
Use Lifeguard to Monitor New Threats
After an incident, scammers may try again using new tactics. Lifeguard continuously scans for suspicious links, messages, and websites using advanced threat detection. The program alerts you to threats immediately and provides a clear action plan for responding to them.
Monitor Financial Activity
Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for any unfamiliar or strange charges. If you notice anything suspicious, report it immediately. Scammers often start with small “test” transactions to see if a card is active before attempting larger purchases.
Clean Up Your Digital Footprint
The less personal information that is available online, the harder it is for scammers to target you. Review your social media privacy settings and use data removal tools like Incogni to limit what’s out there.
Signs You’ve Been Scammed
In recent years, scams have become more and more convincing, so it helps to know what to look out for. Here are a few red flags that could signal you have been scammed:
- Unfamiliar charges: Small, unexplained transactions on your credit card or bank statement are a telltale sign that a scammer is testing your account.
- Locked or Changed Passwords: If you’re suddenly locked out of an account or receive password reset notifications you didn’t request, it likely means someone is attempting to access your account without permission.
- Online Purchases That Never Arrive: Shopping scams will result in you paying for a product that never ships or receiving a fake tracking number.
- Security Alerts: Take any legitimate alerts from your bank, email provider, or security tools seriously.
- High-pressure or Emotional Tactics: Urgent messages that use fear, guilt, or pressure are meant to rush your decision. Legitimate organizations don’t operate that way.
Reporting Scams Makes a Difference
Reporting a scam is one of the most effective ways to slow scammers down. Every report helps investigators connect scattered pieces of information and use them to trace networks and warn other potential victims.
At Lifeguard, we’re building tools that make this process easier. By combining real-time alerts with education, we’ll help you move on without second-guessing every click or message.