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How to Report Online Scams in United States

Find official contacts to report fraud, scams, and cyber crime in United States.

Official Reporting Contacts

Fraud Reporting

Federal Trade Commission

Report fraud, scams, and bad business practices to the FTC.

Phishing & Suspicious Messages

Suspicious Messages (SMS/WhatsApp)

Forward suspicious text messages to report them.

Forward to 7726

Instructions: Forward suspicious SMS or WhatsApp messages to 7726.

Identity Theft

IdentityTheft.gov

Report identity theft and get a personal recovery plan.

Financial & Securities Fraud

Securities and Exchange Commission

Report securities fraud, insider trading, and investment scams.

Evidence Checklist

  • Screenshots of messages, emails, or websites
  • Email headers and sender addresses
  • Phone numbers used by the scammer
  • Bank statements or transaction records
  • Any usernames, profile links, or account details
  • Dates and times of contact

Frequently Asked Questions

Recovery depends on many factors including the payment method used and how quickly you report. Contact your bank immediately if you made a payment.
Yes. Reporting attempted scams helps authorities track and stop scammers, protecting others from becoming victims.
Many reporting services allow anonymous tips. Check the specific agency's policy for details.