If you are in need of legal advice, please contact your local bar association at www.findlegalhelp.org. The Fraud Section conducts criminal prosecutions and cannot provide legal advice to citizens.
If you would like to report fraud, please contact the appropriate investigative agency as follows:
Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft
Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP, 1-877-ID-THEFT,or online athttps://ReportFraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=TFMICF.
Disaster-Related Fraud
Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at (866) 720-5721, by fax at (225) 334-4707 or submit a complaint through the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
Correspondence may be sent to:
National Center for Disaster Fraud
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4909
General Fraud and Other Criminal Matters
Contact the FBI at (202) 324-3000, or online at www.fbi.govortips.fbi.gov.
Health Care Fraud, Medicare/Medicaid Fraud, and Related Matters
Contact the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS, or online at www.oig.hhs.gov.
Internet Fraud and Lottery/Sweepstakes Fraud by Internet
Contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) onlineat www.ic3.gov.
Mail Fraud and Lottery/Sweepstakes Fraud
Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-800-372-8347, or online at postalinspectors.uspis.gov.
Securities Fraud
Contact the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330, or online at www.sec.govor www.sec.gov/complaint/select.shtml.
State and Local Fraud
Contact your local Police Department or State Attorney General's Office.
Updated September 26, 2023
FAQs
Don't feel embarrassed about reporting a scam – scammers are clever and scams can happen to anyone. Reporting a scam helps track down and stop scammers. This prevents other people from being scammed.
Where do I report fraudsters? ›
National Ant-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701 (toll free number)
Is it bad to report fraud? ›
When you report a scam to the FTC, investigators use your information to build cases against scammers. Other law enforcement agencies can see the reports, too, and use them to further their own investigations. Your story makes a difference.
How can I report a scammer to the FBI? ›
Reporting Frauds and Scams
If you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam or fraud scheme, report it to ic3.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
How long does it take to investigate a scammer? ›
Simple incidents of opportunistic fraud may only take anywhere from a day to a week to close the book on. More sophisticated fraud cases – especially those involving fraud rings – can take months or even years, often requiring the assistance of law enforcement.
How to track down someone who scammed you? ›
Utilize social media platforms to search for the scammer's name or usernames. Look for any profiles or accounts that match details they provided you with. Employ reverse search tools designed to connect names, phone numbers, or email addresses to publicly available information.
How do I report someone who scammed me? ›
ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How do I report a suspicious scammer? ›
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has the power to investigate and remove scam websites. It's free to report a suspicious website to us and it only takes a minute. By reporting suspicious websites, you can help us stop cyber criminals and protect others online.
Can a bank reverse a transaction if scammed? ›
While banks are generally obligated to refund money lost to fraud, they may deny the refund if you were negligent or involved in the scam. Whether or not your bank will refund scammed money depends on the bank's policies, the type of scam, and how you paid. But there are consumer protections available.
Can the bank see who used my card online? ›
Can You Track Someone Who Used Your Credit Card Online? No. However, if you report the fraud in a timely manner, the bank or card issuer will open an investigation. Banks have a system for investigating credit card fraud, including some standard procedures.
If you accidentally report fraud, your account may be flagged by the credit card network, leading to potential penalties and a damaged relationship with your payment processor. It's crucial to communicate with your bank or issuer promptly to resolve the misunderstanding and prevent further repercussions.
Can you get money from reporting fraud? ›
Whistleblower rewards under the False Claims Act
The whistleblower (known as the “relator” in qui tam cases) may receive a reward of 15 percent to 25 percent of what the government recovers, if the government joins the qui tam case.
When should you report someone to the FBI? ›
If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911.
If you experience a threat, please contact your local FBI field office (listings available at www.fbi.gov) or submit a tip via 1-800-CALLFBI (or 1-800-225-5324) or via www.fbi.gov/tips.
Does reporting to IC3 do anything? ›
After you file a complaint with the IC3, the information is reviewed by an analyst and forwarded to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies with jurisdiction, as appropriate.
What happens when you report a number to 333? ›
Report to 333
Notify Safaricom of imposters and suspicious branded links/websites/social media handles. Do not share any personal details with anyone on such platforms. Reporting helps to ensure that the conning numbers are investigated and blocked.
Will I ever get my money back from a scammer? ›
The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) limits consumer liability for credit card fraud to $50 in most cases, regardless of when you report [*]. But the sooner you flag fraudulent credit card transactions, the faster you get your money back. Call the customer service number on the back of your card.
Is it bad to call a scammer back? ›
The good news is that spam calls aren't a huge risk on their own — but they can lead to serious consequences if you respond to them or engage in any way. A few minutes of talking to a scammer could lead to months or years of financial hardship.
What should I do to a scammer? ›
STOP CONTACT WITH THE SCAMMER.
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Is it best to block a scammer? ›
Scammers don't care if you're on the National Do Not Call Registry. That's why your best defense against unwanted calls is call blocking and call labeling.
