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Where to report a scam or fraud

If money was sent or a card was used without your OK, contact your bank, card issuer, or payment service now. Then report the scam to the official US agencies below.

These are US reporting channels. You can report even if you did not lose any money — reporting attempts helps warn others.

Credit card fraud or money already sent? Contact the payment provider first

Use the number on the back of your card or the app you already use. Tell the provider what happened and ask whether it can stop or reverse the payment. Do not use a number or link from the suspicious call or message. Recovery is not guaranteed.

Steps after sending money to a scammer. Source: FTC guidance after a scam.

Official reporting destinations

Call the police

Call 911 now if you are in immediate danger, if someone is at your door, or if a courier is on the way to pick up cash or gift cards.

To report a scam that already happened, call your local police non-emergency line, or visit the station in person. To find the number, search your town or county name with the words "police non-emergency." In some areas you can also dial 311.

Ask for a written report and a report number. Your bank, card company, or insurer may ask for it later.

Good to know

Reporting quickly — to your bank, the store where you paid, the police, and the FBI — gives you the best chance. It does not always work, and getting your money back is not guaranteed. But people do sometimes recover money, especially when they act fast and report to everyone involved.

What reporting actually does

A report may not lead to an investigation of your own case, but it still matters — it builds an official record and helps investigators stop the people responsible.

Real police, the FBI, and the FTC will never ask you to pay a fee to investigate your case or get your money back. Anyone who does is running another scam.

Be very careful of anyone who contacts you afterward offering to get your money back, especially for an upfront fee. Real agencies do not work that way, and "recovery" offers are very often a second scam. Hang Up First does not endorse any recovery service.

Help reporting, especially for older adults

The National Elder Fraud Hotline, run by the U.S. Department of Justice, is a free line at 833-372-8311. A case manager can help you report the fraud and connect you with other help. It is built for adults age 60 and older, but it can also guide a caregiver calling on their behalf.

The Eldercare Locator (eldercare.acl.gov, 1-800-677-1116), a free service from the federal Administration for Community Living, connects older adults and the people helping them to local aging and community services, and can point you to the right place to report financial exploitation.

Your bank, card issuer, payment app, or crypto exchange

Report it to whichever one you used to send money. Use the number on your card, or the app you already use. Do not use a number anyone gave you during the scam. See what to do now for steps by what happened.

What to save before you report

Save messages, call logs, and payment records for your report. You can stop replying and block the person; you do not need to keep contact open while you report. The FTC advises ending contact and blocking code scammers.

What to save

  • Do not delete messages, call logs, or the scammer's number yet.
  • The phone number, email address, or text number used to contact you.
  • Screenshots of messages, pop-ups, or caller ID.
  • Names, titles, or badge or case numbers anyone gave you.
  • Payment details: amounts, dates, confirmation numbers, gift card codes, or wallet addresses.
  • A short written timeline of what happened while it is fresh in your memory.

Common questions

Where should I report — FTC, FBI, or the police?

Report to all three if you can: reportfraud.ftc.gov for the FTC, ic3.gov for the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and your local police non-emergency line for a written report. Call 911 only if you are in immediate danger.

Can I report a scam for my elderly parent or someone else?

Yes. The FBI's IC3 Elder Fraud page says that if you, or someone you know, is a victim of fraud, you can file the complaint. The National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) can also guide a caregiver calling on someone's behalf.

Does reporting actually get my money back?

Not always. Reporting helps build an official record and can help investigators spot patterns, but it does not guarantee recovery. It is still worth doing.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-27

Sources

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