If you've been scammed — or almost were — reporting it protects others and helps your bank chase a refund. Below is a step-by-step on where to report, in what order.
All consumer scams. Shares with 3,000+ agencies. 5 minutes to file.
Any internet crime — phishing, romance, BEC, crypto fraud.
Spam calls & texts. Forward texts to 7726 (SPAM) too.
Warn other users in minutes. Free, anonymous if you prefer.
Three places: (1) FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov for any consumer scam, (2) IC3 at ic3.gov for any internet crime including crypto, (3) your local police if you lost money. Always report to ScamGuard too so we warn other users.
FTC collects scam reports for consumer-protection action and shares with thousands of law-enforcement agencies. IC3 (run by the FBI) focuses on internet crime — phishing, romance scams, business email compromise, crypto fraud. For online scams, report to both.
Within minutes: (1) call your bank/card and request a freeze + dispute, (2) change passwords on any compromised account, (3) enable 2FA. Within hours: file at reportfraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. Within days: file a police report (insurance often needs it).
US: forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and report the call at fcc.gov/complaints. Then report the number to ScamGuard so we warn others who get the same call.
Forward to reportphishing@apwg.org AND the impersonated brand's abuse address (phishing@paypal.com, abuse@microsoft.com, phishing@amazon.com, etc.). Then submit to ScamGuard for community warning.
Reporting alone doesn't refund you, but it strengthens chargeback/dispute claims with your bank or card issuer, and helps law enforcement identify scam rings. Card chargebacks within 60 days are your best chance of recovery.
1 free check, no signup needed. Then create an account for unlimited investigations.
We use cookies
ScamGuard uses cookies and the Meta Pixel for analytics and to improve scam detection. You can accept or decline non-essential cookies. See our privacy policy.