How to Report a Scam on the FTC's Complaint Assistant

In the U.S., you can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) using their Complaint Assistant. Gather information about the fraud ahead of time and then visit the website. You should also report scams to other relevant government authorities, such as your local law enforcement and state’s Attorney General’s office. Your government can only protect others from fraud if they catch the scammer, so don’t delay reporting.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Using the Complaint Assistant

  1. Image titled Report a Scam on the FTC's Complaint Assistant Step 1
    1
    Gather information about the scam. You must provide the “who, what, where, and when” of the scam so that the FTC can investigate. Find this information before using the Complaint Assistant. For example, if you have a complaint about counterfeit checks, you should gather the following information:[1]
    • How you were contacted (e.g., phone, email, or you initiated the contact).
    • The name of the scammer and any information about their company (such as address, phone number, etc.)
    • The date you were first contacted.
    • The amount you paid or were asked to pay.
    • Your method of paying the scammer.
    • Your contact information.
    • Other details about the scam.
  2. Image titled Report a Scam on the FTC's Complaint Assistant Step 2
    2
    Select the appropriate complaint category. Visit the complaint assistant website here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/. Click on "Report Now," then choose from the following categories, as well as any related subcategories that appear on screen, before clicking "Continue."[2]
    • An impersonator
    • Online shopping
    • Job, money-making opportunity
    • Sweepstakes, prize, lottery
    • Phone, internet, TV service
    • Auto sale, repair
    • Health
    • Credit, debt
    • Just an annoying call
    • Something else
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Report a Scam on the FTC's Complaint Assistant Step 3
    3
    Provide the requested information. You’ll have to provide information about yourself and the scam on four or five screens. Provide as much information as you can. The more you provide, the greater the likelihood the fraudster will be caught.
    • If you need technical support, you can click on a link. It should say, “Click here to chat with a technical support specialist.” The hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.
  4. Image titled Report a Scam on the FTC's Complaint Assistant Step 4
    4
    Follow up with additional information, if requested. After receiving your complaint, the FTC will investigate. They should reach out to you if they need additional information. Provide all requested information promptly.
    • If the FTC catches the fraudster, they won’t bring a lawsuit on your behalf. However, they can sue any scammer for breaking the law.
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Reporting Scams to Other Agencies

  1. Image titled Report a Scam on the FTC's Complaint Assistant Step 5
    1
    Contact IC3 to report internet fraud. You can report any fraud involving the Internet to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which was created by the FBI to facilitate sharing information about Internet fraud.[3] Provide much the same information you provide to the FTC:[4]
    • victim’s name and contact information (address, email, telephone number)
    • specific details on how you were victimized
    • financial transaction information, such as account information, amount of transaction, who the money was sent to
    • other relevant information
  2. Image titled Report a Scam on the FTC's Complaint Assistant Step 6
    2
    Report scams to affected government agencies. Some scams might involve a federal or state agency. You’ll want to report the scam right away so that they can investigate as well. For example, you may need to contact the following:[5]
    • Social Security Administration. If someone tried to sell you a Social Security Number or a forged card, then report it to 1-800-269-0271 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.[6] You may also mail complaints to Social Security Fraud Hotline, PO Box 17785, Baltimore, MD 21235.
    • U.S. Mail. If the fraudster used the U.S. Mail to commit the fraud, then report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. You may complain by calling 1-800-275-8777.
    • Federal Communications Commission. File a complaint with the FCC for frauds related to telephones, such as unexplained charges on your bill or telemarketing scams. You can report fraud at the Consumer Complaint Center, which you can access at: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us.[7]
    • USA.gov. You should notify USA.gov if someone is impersonating one of their employees. You can notify them using live chat at this webpage: https://www.usa.gov/chat.
  3. Image titled Report a Scam on the FTC's Complaint Assistant Step 7
    3
    Call your state’s Attorney General. Each state has an attorney general who will investigate suspected fraud. Although the Attorney General will not represent you in a lawsuit, they have the power to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the citizens of your state.
  4. Image titled Report a Scam on the FTC's Complaint Assistant Step 8
    4
    Call local law enforcement. Local law enforcement also needs to know about the scam. They may be able to catch the scammer and help get your money back. You should contact them as soon as possible and provide the same information you provide to the FTC.
    • Also get a copy of the police report. You might need it in case the scammer commits identity theft and you need to contact your credit card companies or bank.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Will I be informed by the authorities that the scammer has been apprehended?
    R2_d2000
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    No, you probably will not be informed. You could try asking to be informed, but that still would not guarantee that you would be.
  • Question
    Someone is using my name and phone number to call people. What should I do?
    R2_d2000
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    The hacker is probably spoofing your number. In this case, the only way to stop it is to change your phone number. You may also want to make sure that your phone does not have a virus, just to be safe.
  • Question
    How do I report a grandfather scam on the phone?
    R2_d2000
    R2_d2000
    Top Answerer
    Use the FTC complaint assistant; the FTC will forward the complaint to the appropriate agency.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Find if a Website Is Legitimate
How to
Find if a Website Is Legitimate
Recover Money from a Scammer
How to
Recover Money from a Scammer
Check if a Company Is GenuineHow Do You Know if a Business Is Legitimate?
Know if an Online Business or Company Is Legitimate
How to
Know if an Online Business or Company Is Legitimate
Report Scam Numbers
How to
Report Scam Numbers
Block Scam Likely CallsBlocking Calls From Scam Likely with T-Mobile, iPhone, and Android
Avoid Scams
How to
Avoid Scams
Buy on eBay Safely
How to
Buy on eBay Safely
Avoid Scams on OfferUp on Android
How to
Avoid Scams on OfferUp on Android
Avoid Phone Scams
How to
Avoid Phone Scams
Avoid Getting Scammed on eBay
How to
Avoid Getting Scammed on eBay
Report a Scam
How to
Report a Scam
Recognize Medical Frauds and Scams
How to
Recognize Medical Frauds and Scams
Spot a Fake Review Website
How to
Spot a Fake Review Website
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams#wheretoreport
  2. ↑ https://www.consumerprotect.com/how-to-file-a-consumer-fraud-complaint/
  3. ↑ https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds
  4. ↑ https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
  5. ↑ https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds
  6. ↑ https://oig.ssa.gov/report
  7. ↑ https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=39744

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 27,902 times.
63 votes - 59%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: November 12, 2020
Views: 27,902
Categories: Avoiding Consumer Scams | Making a Complaint
Advertisement