If you’ve been targeted by a scam in the U.S., it’s important to report it to the appropriate authorities to help prevent further victimization and to aid in the apprehension of the fraudsters. Here’s a comprehensive guide on where and how to report different types of scams. You don't need to be overwhelmed by number of these organizations. Only a few will be applicable for the type of incident that you want to report.
| Type of Scam/Fraud | Authority/Organization | Reporting Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer fraud, identity theft, phishing, telemarketing fraud, and deceptive advertising | Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | Online: FTC Complaint Assistant Phone: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) |
| Cybercrime, online scams, phishing, hacking, ransomware, and serious frauds | Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | Online: Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) |
| Scams involving mortgages, credit reporting, debt collection, and other financial products | Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) | Online: CFPB Complaint Form Phone: 1-855-411-CFPB (1-855-411-2372) |
| Mail fraud, deceptive mailers, and mail-related identity theft | U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) | Online: USPIS Mail Fraud Reporting- Phone: 1-877-876-2455 |
| Investment scams, stock fraud, Ponzi schemes, and securities-related fraud | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) | Online: SEC Tips, Complaints, and Referrals |
| Local scams and consumer protection issues | State Attorney General’s Office | Online: Find your state’s Attorney General via NAAG Member Directory |
| Business-related scams, fraudulent businesses, and online purchase scams | Better Business Bureau (BBB) | Online: BBB Scam Tracker |
| Scams targeting seniors, including financial exploitation, Medicare fraud, and lottery scams | Elder Fraud Hotline (DOJ) | Phone: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) |
| Unwanted telemarketing calls, robocalls, and phone scams | National Do Not Call Registry | Online: FTC Do Not Call Complaint- Phone: 1-888-382-1222 |
| Social Security fraud, identity theft involving SSN, and SSA-related scams | Social Security Administration (SSA) | Online: SSA Fraud Reporting Form- Phone: 1-800-269-0271 |
| Scams causing financial loss, identity theft, or local fraud | Local Police Department | Visit the station or call the non-emergency number |
| Medicare fraud, healthcare fraud, and medical identity theft | Medicare Fraud Reporting | Online: Medicare Fraud Reporting- Phone: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) |
| Unauthorized transactions, phishing attempts, and financial account fraud | Financial Institutions | Contact your bank/credit card issuer using the phone number on the back of your card |
| Identity theft, unauthorized accounts, and credit report errors | Credit Reporting Agencies | Equifax: Equifax Fraud Alert- Experian: Experian Fraud Alert- TransUnion: TransUnion Fraud Alert |
| Scams targeting seniors, especially financial exploitation | Senior Centers or Organizations | Contact local senior centers or organizations like AARP |