Report Scams and Fraud

With so many kinds of scams, it ‘s intemperate to figure out where to report each type. Gather emails, receipts, and earphone numbers so you ’ re cook to complete your report .

Report Scams to Your Local Government

start by reporting the victimize to your state of matter consumer auspices office. If you lost money or early possessions in a scam, report it to your local police excessively .

Report Scams to the Federal Government

You can report scams to the federal politics. Your report may keep others from experiencing a scam. Government agencies use reports of scams to track victimize patterns. They may even take legal action against a company or industry based on the reports. however, agencies don ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate follow up after you report, and ca n’t recover lost money. Do not use the contact information included in scam messages. Use verified contact information in USA.gov ‘s federal agency directory to report other government imposters.

Report Disaster and Emergency Scams

Report coronavirus scams and other scams about disasters and emergencies .

Report Most Common Scams

The Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) is the independent representation that collects scam reports. Report the victimize to the FTC on-line, or by telephone at 1-877-382-4357 ( 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, ET ). The FTC accepts complaints about most scams, including these democratic ones :

• Phone calls 
• Emails
• Computer support scams
• Imposter scams
• Fake checks
• Demands for you to send money (check, wire transfers, gift cards)
• Student loan or scholarship scams
• Prize, grants, and sweepstakes offers

The FTC besides collects reports of identity larceny. Report identity larceny on-line at IdentityTheft.gov or by telephone at 1-877-438-4338 ( 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, ET ) .

Report Online and International Scams

Report forge websites, emails, malware, and other internet scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center ( IC3 ). Some on-line scams start outside the United States. If you have been affected by an international victimize, report it through econsumer.gov. Your report helps international consumer auspices offices spot trends and prevent scams.

Report Social Security or IRS Imposter Scams

Scammers frequently pretend to work for the Social Security Administration ( SSA ) or Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ). common signs include :

• Robocalls
• Threats of arrest or lawsuits
• Demands for payments
• Suspension of your social security number
• Cancellation of your social security benefits

Learn about Social Security-related scams. Report these scams using Social Security ‘s on-line coverage form. Report IRS imposters to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration ( TIGTA ). To report by call, call TIGTA at 1-800-366-4484.

Report Scams to Third Parties

You may want to report the victimize to organizations outside of the government. third base parties may be able to get your money back or remove deceitful charges. Report a scam that happened with an on-line seller or a payment transfer system to the company ’ s fraud department. If you used your credit batting order or bank account to pay a swindler, report it to the card issuer or bank. besides report scams to the major citation report agencies. Place a imposter alert on your credit report to prevent person from opening credit accounts in your name .