If you’ve been scammed — or you think it’s happening to someone you know — act now. The faster you report, the better your chances of stopping the damage. Below are the numbers to call, the sites to visit, and exactly what to do in the next 30 minutes.
What to Do Right Now — 5-Step Emergency Checklist
- Stop all contact with the scammer. Don’t respond to texts, emails, or calls. Block the number. Don’t try to “catch” them — that puts you at more risk.
- Call your bank or credit card company immediately. Tell them you believe you’ve been defrauded. Ask to freeze or reverse the transaction. Time matters — some banks can claw back wire transfers within 24 hours.
- Change your passwords. If you gave out login credentials, email passwords, or clicked a suspicious link, change those passwords now. Start with your email and bank accounts.
- File a report with the FTC. Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. It takes about 10 minutes. This creates a federal record that helps law enforcement track patterns.
- Tell someone you trust. A family member, a friend, your bank manager. Scammers rely on shame and silence. Breaking that silence is how you protect yourself and others.
Where to Report — Federal Resources
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Start here. The FTC is the primary federal agency for consumer fraud. Every report goes into a database used by over 2,800 law enforcement agencies. Even if you don’t get your money back, your report helps them build cases that shut scammers down.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
For internet-enabled crimes: romance scams, phishing, cryptocurrency fraud, business email compromise, and online marketplace fraud. The FBI uses IC3 reports to identify patterns and launch investigations.
National Elder Fraud Hotline
1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
Specifically for seniors and the people who care for them. Staffed by trained case managers who will walk you through reporting and connect you with local resources. Free, confidential, and available Monday–Friday, 10am–6pm ET.
USPS Inspection Service
For mail fraud: fake checks, sweepstakes letters, “you’ve won” mailers, stolen mail, and fraudulent packages. The USPS Inspection Service is one of the oldest federal law enforcement agencies and they take mail fraud seriously.
Report by Scam Type
Phone Scams (IRS, Social Security, Medicare imposters)
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- IRS imposters: TIGTA.gov (Treasury Inspector General)
- Social Security imposters: oig.ssa.gov/report
- Do Not Call Registry: DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222
Online Scams (Romance, Phishing, Crypto)
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Romance scams: Also report to the platform (Facebook, dating app) where the scammer contacted you
Identity Theft
- IdentityTheft.gov: IdentityTheft.gov — FTC’s dedicated identity theft site. Creates a personal recovery plan.
- Freeze your credit: How to Freeze Your Credit at All 3 Bureaus (our step-by-step guide)
Elder Fraud
- Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11
- Adult Protective Services: Search “[your state] Adult Protective Services” — they investigate elder abuse and financial exploitation
- Local law enforcement: File a police report. It creates an official record even if investigation takes time.
State Resources
Your state Attorney General’s office handles consumer complaints and often has a dedicated fraud unit. Many states have specific elder fraud programs.
Find yours: National Association of Attorneys General — Find My AG
Got a Scam Tip for ScamInsight?
If you’ve spotted a scam and want us to investigate it, we want to hear from you. Every tip helps us warn others.
Scam tips: [email protected]