What Is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)?
The Federal Trade Commission is a US government agency whose mission includes protecting consumers from deceptive and fraudulent business practices. It collects fraud reports from millions of Americans each year and uses that data to identify trends, target enforcement actions, and share intelligence with law enforcement partners.
In 2023 alone, the FTC received over 2.6 million fraud reports, with consumers reporting total losses exceeding $10 billion — a record high.
What to Report to the FTC
- Online shopping fraud and non-delivery scams
- Imposter scams (IRS, Social Security, tech support)
- Romance scams and catfishing
- Cryptocurrency and investment fraud
- Business opportunity and work-from-home scams
- Debt collection harassment
- Identity theft
- Unwanted calls and robocalls
How to Report Fraud to the Federal Trade Commission
Step 1: Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov
The FTC's official fraud reporting portal is ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The site is available 24/7 and guides you through a structured questionnaire about your experience.
Step 2: Select Your Scam Category
The FTC's system lets you categorize the fraud type. Choose the most accurate category — this determines how your report is processed and which enforcement teams see it.
Step 3: Provide Scammer Details
Include as much information as possible about the fraudster: names used, phone numbers, email addresses, websites, and social media profiles. The more detail, the more useful your report.
Step 4: Describe What Happened
Provide a clear timeline of events, the amount lost, and payment method used (wire transfer, gift cards, crypto, credit card, etc.).
Step 5: Save Your Confirmation
After submitting, you'll receive a confirmation number. Save this — you may need it if you contact the FTC or other agencies later.
⚠️ Also Report to These US Agencies
Depending on your scam type: Investment fraud → SEC (sec.gov/tcr) | Internet crimes → FBI IC3 (ic3.gov) | Bank fraud → CFPB (consumerfinance.gov/complaint) | Cryptocurrency fraud → CFTC (cftc.gov/complaint)
What the FTC Does With Your Report
The FTC uses fraud reports to:
- Identify trends and target enforcement actions against major fraud operations
- Share data with over 3,000 law enforcement partners nationwide
- Build cases for civil lawsuits against fraudulent businesses
- Create consumer alerts and education campaigns
The FTC generally does not investigate individual consumer complaints — its enforcement actions focus on widespread fraud patterns affecting many people. For individual case investigation and potential recovery, additional resources are needed.
After You Report to the FTC – Next Steps
Once you've filed your FTC report:
- Contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
- If identity theft occurred, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan
- For significant financial losses, consult a licensed private investigator or attorney
US Fraud Resources
- FTC Report Fraud: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
- SEC Enforcement Tips: sec.gov/tcr
- CFTC Fraud Reporting: cftc.gov/complaint
- Identity Theft Recovery: IdentityTheft.gov
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: consumerfinance.gov/complaint