Why Reporting a Scam Matters

Many scam victims feel embarrassed and don't report fraud. But reporting a scam is critical — it helps authorities track patterns, identify criminal networks, and in some cases, recover funds.

In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission received over 2.6 million fraud reports. The more victims report scams, the better chance authorities have of shutting down fraudulent operations.

What to Gather Before You Report

Before filing a scam report, collect as much of the following as possible:

  • Screenshots of conversations, messages, or emails
  • Transaction records, bank statements, or crypto wallet addresses
  • Names, usernames, phone numbers, or email addresses used by the scammer
  • URLs of any websites involved
  • Dates and timeline of events
  • Any receipts, invoices, or payment confirmations

Who to Report a Scam To

United States

Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For cybercrime, also file with the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov. For investment fraud, contact the SEC.

United Kingdom

Report a scam to Action Fraud — the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. Call 0300 123 2040 or report online at actionfraud.police.uk.

Australia

Report scams to Scamwatch (ACCC) at scamwatch.gov.au. For cybercrime, also report to ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au.

Canada

Report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or call 1-888-495-8501.

European Union

Report cybercrime to your national police and Europol's EC3 unit. Each EU member state has its own fraud reporting mechanism.

⚠️ Also Report to Your Bank

Regardless of where you report the scam, contact your bank or payment provider immediately. In some cases — especially with bank transfers — quick action can lead to fund recovery.

After You Report a Scam

Once you've filed your report, keep a copy of your reference number. Authorities may not contact you directly, but your report contributes to investigations.

For complex cases involving significant financial loss, we recommend consulting a licensed private investigator who specializes in digital fraud tracing.