Why reporting scams matters

Reporting scams does more than attempt to recover your loss — it creates a public record investigators use to spot patterns, shut down schemes, and alert other consumers. Federal agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) aggregate complaints to identify widespread fraud (FTC, IC3). State attorney general offices and consumer protection divisions use reports to enforce state laws and sometimes to coordinate multi-state actions.

In my practice guiding clients through fraud incidents, timely reporting frequently made the difference in stopping repeat attempts and preventing losses to others.

Who to report to (quick reference)

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — general consumer scams and identity theft: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ (FTC)
  • Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) — internet-enabled crimes: https://www.ic3.gov/ (IC3)
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — financial product and service complaints: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ (CFPB)
  • State Attorney General — state-level fraud and businesses operating in your state. Search your state AG website for complaint forms.
  • Local police — when you were threatened, physically harmed, or suffered a large loss and need a police report for banks/insurers.
  • IRS — if a scam involves tax impersonation or tax-related identity theft, follow guidance on IRS.gov (search “IRS impersonation scams” on IRS.gov).

If the scam involved a bank account, credit card, or wire transfer, also notify your financial institution immediately.

Step-by-step: How to report a scam

  1. Gather and preserve evidence
  • Save emails, screenshots, text messages, call logs, payment receipts (screenshots of wire transfers, Zelle, Venmo, prepaid cards).
  • Note dates, times, phone numbers, sender addresses, and the URL of any suspicious websites.
  • Export or screenshot browser address bars and page content — scammers often spoof pages.
  1. Record a short, factual timeline
  • Write a concise one-page timeline: who contacted you, what they asked for, what you did, and the outcome (money lost, data shared).
  • Keep copies in a folder and a separate cloud backup.
  1. Identify the best reporting agency
  • If it’s an internet scam, file at IC3 (IC3).
  • If it’s a consumer product/service or identity theft, file at the FTC (FTC).
  • If it involves a bank, mortgage, debt collector, or credit product, file with the CFPB (CFPB).
  • If you were threatened or it’s a local crime, call your local police.
  • File with your state attorney general for company-specific or local scams — state AG offices often have consumer complaint forms.
  1. File the complaint online (or by phone if available)
  • Use agency forms — the FTC and CFPB have guided online complaint forms that walk you through what to include.
  • For internet crimes (phishing, marketplace fraud, extortion online) use IC3’s complaint form.
  • Keep confirmation emails and complaint IDs printed or saved.
  1. Notify your bank, credit card issuer, or payment platform
  • Request a dispute for unauthorized charges or a stop-payment, and ask about fraud investigations.
  • If money was wired, immediately contact the sending bank, and ask them to recall or flag the transaction; time is critical.
  1. Protect your identity and credit if personal data was exposed
  • Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. The CFPB has guidance on freezes and alerts (CFPB).
  • Consider filing an identity theft report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov, which also provides a recovery plan.
  1. File a local police report when required
  • Many banks and insurers require a police report to refund losses.
  • Present your printed timeline, copies of communications, and any bank statements showing transfers.
  1. Follow up and keep records
  • Agencies may not immediately contact you, but keep your complaint ID and follow up if new evidence appears.
  • If a company’s response is unsatisfactory, use your state AG and the Better Business Bureau for escalation.

What to expect after you report

  • Most agency reports feed databases investigators use to spot trends rather than prompt immediate action on a single complaint. However, multiple reports can lead to investigations, enforcement actions, or public warnings (FTC).
  • You may receive automated confirmations and occasional outreach asking for more details. Keep your documentation handy.
  • Recovery depends on the payment method: credit card chargebacks and bank error claims can work quickly, while wire transfer recovery is slow and often difficult.

Special-case reporting (identity theft, tax scams, business-targeted fraud)

  • Identity theft: Start at IdentityTheft.gov (FTC) to create a recovery plan and generate a police report template and affidavit. Then notify credit bureaus and affected lenders.
  • IRS impersonation or tax-related identity theft: Report via IRS guidance pages and follow the IRS identity theft victim procedures. Keep copies of any IRS-like correspondence for verification.
  • Business or vendor scams: Businesses should file with the state AG and consider notifying industry regulators (e.g., state banking regulator for payment processor fraud). Maintain records for potential civil remedies.

Professional tips from my practice

  • Act within 24–48 hours if you can. Early notice to banks and platforms improves chances of freezing or reversing transfers.
  • Use exact copies of messages (not summaries) when submitting evidence; investigators rely on headers, timestamps, and metadata.
  • If you’re unsure which agency handles the issue, file with multiple: e.g., FTC for identity concerns and IC3 for internet-enabled fraud. Agencies can share data.
  • For seniors or vulnerable adults, involve a trusted relative or an attorney to help prepare documentation and submit reports.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting too long to report. Scammers often move funds quickly; bank intervention is most effective when immediate.
  • Relying on social media reports. Public posts help raise awareness but don’t create an official record for investigators.
  • Deleting communications. Once you delete messages you may lose metadata that investigators need.

Examples (real-world, anonymized)

  • Phishing impersonation: A client received a convincing bank login email and entered credentials. We documented IP headers, reported the phishing to IC3, notified the bank, and initiated a password reset and credit freeze. The bank reversed one unauthorized transfer because of early contact.
  • Lottery/advance-fee scam: An elderly couple reported an online lottery demand to their state AG and the FTC. Their complaint contributed to a multi-state bulletin that warned other seniors.

How businesses and nonprofits should report scams

  • Preserve logs, emails, and payment records and escalate to legal counsel if large sums are involved.
  • Report to the state AG and the FTC; if a breach exposed consumer data, follow state breach-notification laws and consider notifying the appropriate state office.
  • Notify payment processors and card networks immediately to trigger fraud controls.

Useful authoritative resources

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IdentityTheft.gov (FTC)
  • Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): https://www.ic3.gov/ (IC3)
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ (CFPB)
  • IRS: official guidance on impostor scams and tax-related identity theft (search irs.gov for “impersonation scams”).

Internal resources on FinHelp.io

Final checklist before you file

  • [ ] Save all communications and payment records.
  • [ ] Create a one-page timeline with dates and outcomes.
  • [ ] Notify your bank/payment platform immediately.
  • [ ] File with the FTC, IC3, CFPB, state AG, or local police as appropriate.
  • [ ] Place a fraud alert or credit freeze if personal data was exposed.
  • [ ] Keep complaint IDs and follow up when needed.

Professional disclaimer: This article is informational and does not constitute legal advice. For complex or high-dollar cases, consult an attorney or contact your state attorney general. The reporting steps and resources above are current as of 2025; always verify agency URLs and procedures before filing.