How Do You Report Fraud to the FTC?
Learn how to report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, what information helps, and what to do right after a scam.
To report fraud to the FTC, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and describe the scam, who contacted you, what they asked for, how you paid or shared information, and what happened next. Your report helps the FTC spot patterns and support investigations, even though the FTC does not resolve every report individually.
What to gather
How they contacted you
Shows scam channel
Phone, text, email, website
What they claimed
Explains the pitch
Prize, debt, government impostor
Payment or account details
Shows harm and method
Gift card, wire, crypto, bank
Business or person name
Helps connect patterns
Company name, phone, email
Evidence
Supports the report
Screenshots, receipts, messages
Report fraud even if you did not lose money
The FTC uses reports to find patterns. A report can still help even when you spotted the scam before paying or sharing information.
Report the fraud
- 1Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- 2Choose the problem category that best matches what happened.
- 3Describe the contact method, claim, payment request, and timing.
- 4Include contact details, website links, receipts, or screenshots when useful.
- 5Save any next-step guidance and take separate recovery steps if money or personal information was exposed.
FAQ
Does the FTC resolve every fraud report?
No. The FTC says reports help it build cases, stop scammers, and alert others, but the agency does not resolve each report individually.
What website do I use to report fraud to the FTC?
Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov for scams, fraud, and bad business practices.
Should I also report identity theft at ReportFraud.ftc.gov?
Use IdentityTheft.gov when someone used your personal information for identity theft, because that site creates an FTC Identity Theft Report and recovery plan.
Sources & method
We reviewed these references while writing this answer. Figures are estimates — confirm safety-critical work with a professional. Last updated June 7, 2026.
- How To Report Fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.govFederal Trade Commission · consumer.ftc.govSupports the ReportFraud.ftc.gov path, why reports matter, and the basic report-now workflow.
- What To Do if You Were ScammedFederal Trade Commission · consumer.ftc.govSupports reporting to the FTC after a scam and framing immediate recovery details to gather.