Where To Report A Scam
6 minute read
Reporting is a paper trail, not a magic button. Here is who to tell, what each report is good for, and what to skip.
Do these before the deep dive
- If money moved, call the bank, card issuer, payment app, exchange, or gift card company before filing government reports.
- If identity information was used or exposed, start with IdentityTheft.gov.
- Keep one short timeline and save every case number.
- Do not pay anyone who promises guaranteed recovery.
Steal this sentence
I need to open a fraud report, get a case number, and ask what can still be stopped or reversed.
Here is the unglamorous truth: most reports do not make money reappear.
They still matter. A report gives you a paper trail for banks, platforms, insurers, law enforcement, family conversations, and your own memory three weeks from now when everything blurs together.
Do the urgent calls first. Report after.
The Order That Usually Works
1. The payment path. Whoever moved the money gets the first call: bank, credit card, payment app, wire service, gift card company, crypto exchange.
2. The account or platform. Report the fake profile, listing, email account, marketplace post, job post, or payment handle so it can be removed.
3. The official report. Use the government or nonprofit report that matches the damage.
Do not report everywhere just because a list exists. Pick the door that can actually use the information.
Which Door To Use
| What happened | Start here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| General scam, fake seller, imposter, gift cards, bad business practice | FTC ReportFraud | Best general-purpose fraud report in the U.S. |
| Someone used your identity or could open accounts in your name | IdentityTheft.gov | Builds a recovery plan and creates an identity theft report. |
| Internet-enabled fraud, business email compromise, crypto theft, large loss | FBI IC3 | Routes internet crime reports to law enforcement. |
| Bank, credit card, credit report, debt collection, mortgage, loan, money transfer problem | CFPB complaint portal | Sends a complaint to the financial company and requires a response. |
| Fake broker, investment pitch, suspicious securities offer | SEC tips, complaints, and referrals | For securities and investment-related reports. |
| Crypto, commodities, forex, precious metals, derivatives fraud | CFTC fraud reporting | For commodities and derivatives-related fraud. |
| Sextortion or online exploitation involving a minor | NCMEC CyberTipline | Specialized reporting path for child exploitation. |
| You are not sure | USA.gov scam reporting guide | A plain-language directory for U.S. reporting options. |
What To Write In The Report
Use plain facts. Do not worry about sounding official.
- “I received a text pretending to be my bank.”
- “I clicked the link and entered my debit card.”
- “I sent $1,200 through Zelle on April 24.”
- “The phone number was…”
- “The website was…”
- “The platform username was…”
- “My bank case number is…”
If you do not know something, write “unknown.” Guessing makes reports worse.
Case Numbers Matter
Every time someone gives you a report number, case number, ticket number, or confirmation number, save it.
Put it in one place with the date and who gave it to you:
April 25, 10:42 AM
Called card issuer.
Fraud case number: 123456
Card replaced. Dispute opened.
That little note is more useful than a perfect memory you will not have later.
The Scam After The Scam
After you report, you may be contacted by people claiming they can recover everything.
Be very careful if they claim to be:
- A recovery hacker.
- A crypto tracing expert.
- Law enforcement.
- A government investigator.
- A bank fraud specialist.
- A victim compensation program.
If they want upfront payment, remote access, passwords, seed phrases, gift cards, crypto, or a “refundable deposit,” stop. Real recovery help does not ask you to get scammed a second time.