Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission, your state attorney general, or the platform where it happened — each route handles different types of fraud and reaches different investigators.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) takes reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and maintains a database that law enforcement agencies search when investigating scams. The FTC does not investigate individual cases, but patterns in their database sometimes trigger formal investigations. Reports to the FTC are free and take about 10 minutes.

Your state attorney general handles consumer fraud within your state and can sometimes pursue cases the FTC does not. You can find your state AG's office through the National Association of Attorneys General website. Some states have dedicated consumer fraud hotlines; others ask you to fill out an online form.

If the scam happened on a specific platform — Amazon, Facebook, a dating app, a payment service — report it directly to that company. Platforms have fraud teams that can freeze accounts, recover money in some cases, and share information with law enforcement. This route is often fastest if money was stolen through their system.

Key Takeaways

  • The FTC collects scam reports in a searchable database that law enforcement uses, even though they do not investigate individual cases.
  • Your state attorney general can pursue fraud cases within your state and sometimes recovers money for victims.
  • Report directly to the platform or payment service where the scam occurred, because they can freeze accounts and sometimes reverse transactions.
  • If you lost money, also file a report with your bank or credit card company, which may reverse the charge or freeze the account used to steal from you.
  • Keep copies of all messages, transaction records, and screenshots — these are required by most agencies and help investigators build cases.

What information you need before you report

Agencies and platforms will ask for the same core details: the scammer's name or username, email address, phone number, and any website or social media profile they used. Write down the dates when contact began and when money was sent. Take screenshots of all messages, including deleted ones if you can recover them from your phone or email.

If money was involved, gather the transaction details: the amount, the date, the payment method (wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, credit card), and the recipient's account information if you have it. If you sent a wire transfer, note the wire company (Western Union, MoneyGram, bank wire) and the confirmation number. If you bought gift cards, write down the card numbers and PINs if you still have them.

For romance scams, catfishing, and impersonation, save the profile photos and any documents the scammer sent you — these help investigators identify whether the same person is running multiple scams. If the scammer asked you to download software or click a link, note what it was and when.

Reporting to the Federal Trade Commission

Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and select the type of scam from the dropdown menu: imposter scams, online shopping fraud, romance scams, tech support scams, prize or lottery scams, or other. The form asks for the scammer's contact information, how you found them, what happened, and how much money you lost.

The FTC will ask whether you sent money and, if so, what method you used. They also ask whether you gave the scammer access to your computer, your passwords, or your personal information. Answer as completely as you can — the more detail, the more useful the report is to investigators who search the database later.

After you submit, the FTC sends you a confirmation number. Save this number. You will not hear back from the FTC about your individual case, but your report becomes part of a public database that law enforcement agencies use to identify patterns and build cases against large-scale scam operations.

Reporting to your state attorney general

Find your state attorney general's office through the National Association of Attorneys General (naag.org). Most states have a consumer protection division with an online complaint form or a phone number to call. Some states, like New York and California, have dedicated consumer fraud hotlines that answer during business hours.

When you report to your state AG, they ask for the same information as the FTC but may also ask whether you have already reported to the FTC and whether you filed a police report. Some state AGs pursue cases where a pattern of fraud emerges — if they receive 20 reports about the same scammer in three months, they may open an investigation.

A few states, including Florida and Texas, have victim restitution programs that can recover money for scam victims if the scammer is prosecuted and convicted. Ask your state AG whether this program exists in your state and whether your case might may have access to.

Reporting directly to the platform or payment service

If the scam happened on Facebook, Instagram, dating apps, or other social platforms, use the "Report" button on the scammer's profile or message thread. Most platforms ask you to select a reason — impersonation, fraud, or harassment — and then give you a text box to explain. Include the scammer's username, when you met them, and what they asked you to do.

If money was sent through PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, or another payment service, report the transaction as fraud directly in the app. These services can sometimes reverse payments if you report within a few days. Go to your transaction history, find the payment, and select "Report a Problem" or "Dispute This Transaction."

If you sent money through a wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram, contact them immediately with your confirmation number. These services can sometimes stop the payment if the recipient has not picked it up yet. If the money was already picked up, the service will file a report with law enforcement, but recovery is unlikely.

What to do if you gave the scammer access to your accounts

If you shared your password, downloaded software the scammer sent, or clicked a link they provided, change your passwords immediately — starting with email, banking, and any accounts with payment information. Use a strong password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Run a malware scan on your computer or phone. If you are on Windows, use the built-in Windows Defender (search for "Windows Security" in your Start menu). If you are on Mac, use Malwarebytes or Avast. If you are on a phone, restart it in safe mode and run a scan with your phone's built-in security tools.

Check your credit report for unauthorized accounts or inquiries. You can view your credit report free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you see accounts you did not open, place a fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) — they will notify the other two automatically.

Filing a police report

You can file a report with your local police department, though most police departments do not investigate individual scams unless the amount is very large or the scammer is local. Call the non-emergency line or visit your local precinct in person. Bring all the information you gathered: messages, transaction records, and the scammer's contact details.

Some police departments have a dedicated fraud unit or cybercrime division that takes reports online. Check your city or county police website to see whether this option is available. A police report creates an official record that can help if you need to dispute charges with your bank or credit card company.

If the scammer is in another country, local police will likely refer you to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. The IC3 takes reports of internet fraud and shares them with federal law enforcement and international partners. Like the FTC, the IC3 does not investigate individual cases but uses reports to identify patterns.

Disputing charges with your bank or credit card company

If you sent money by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer, contact your bank or card issuer immediately. Tell them the transaction was fraudulent. Credit card companies have a formal dispute process called a chargeback, which reverses the charge while the company investigates. You typically have 60 days from the transaction date to file a dispute.

For debit card fraud, you have 60 days to report it, but act faster — banks are more likely to reverse the charge if you report within two weeks. For bank transfers and wire transfers, contact your bank right away. If the money has not been picked up or deposited yet, your bank may be able to recall it.

When you dispute a charge, your bank will ask for documentation: screenshots of messages, the scammer's contact information, and proof that you reported the fraud to law enforcement or the FTC. Provide everything you have. The bank's investigation usually takes 30 to 90 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my money back after I report a scam?

Recovery depends on the payment method and how quickly you report. Credit card chargebacks succeed about 50 percent of the time. Wire transfers and gift cards are almost never recovered. If you sent money through a payment app like Venmo or Cash App, report it immediately — these services can sometimes reverse payments within hours of the transaction.

What happens after I report to the FTC?

The FTC does not contact you about your individual case. Your report goes into a database that law enforcement agencies search. If your report matches a pattern of fraud, it may contribute to a larger investigation, but you will not be notified. You can check the status of your report using your confirmation number at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Should I report to both the FTC and my state attorney general?

Yes. The FTC and state AGs share information, but reporting to both increases the chance your case reaches an investigator. The FTC is better for national scams; your state AG is better if the scammer is local or if your state has a victim restitution program.

What if the scammer is in another country?

Report to the FTC, your state AG, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov). International scams are harder to prosecute, but law enforcement agencies share reports with Interpol and other international partners. Recovery is unlikely, but reporting helps investigators identify networks of scammers.

Do I need a police report to dispute a charge with my bank?

No, but a police report strengthens your case. Banks will reverse charges based on your statement alone, but a police report or FTC confirmation number makes the process faster. If your bank denies your dispute, a police report gives you grounds to appeal.