Report to the FTC
Last updated March 11, 2026
The short answer
The main federal agency for reporting fraud, scams, and bad business practices
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main U.S. government agency that collects fraud reports. Filing with the FTC helps them track scam patterns and take legal action against scammers. While the FTC doesn't resolve individual cases, your report helps protect others.
What they handle
- All types of consumer fraud and scams
- Identity theft
- Unwanted calls, emails, and texts
- Problems with businesses
- Fake charities
- Online shopping scams
How to file a report
- 1
Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov
This is the FTC's official reporting site. It's free and takes about 10 minutes.
- 2
Choose what happened
Select the category that best matches your situation, like online shopping, impostor scams, or phone scams.
- 3
Describe what happened
Write a clear description: who contacted you, how they contacted you, what they said, and what you did.
- 4
Add details about the scammer
Include any phone numbers, email addresses, websites, company names, or payment methods they used.
- 5
Submit your report
You'll get a confirmation. Save it for your records.
What you'll need
- A description of what happened (dates, amounts, how you were contacted)
- The scammer's contact info (phone number, email, website, social media profile)
- How you paid (credit card, wire transfer, gift cards, crypto)
- Any receipts, confirmation emails, or screenshots
What to expect
The FTC doesn't resolve individual complaints or get your money back directly. But every report goes into a database that law enforcement across the country uses to track scam patterns and build cases. The more people report, the more likely it is that the scammers get caught.
Frequently asked questions
Will the FTC get my money back?
The FTC doesn't resolve individual complaints or recover money directly. However, your report goes into a database used by law enforcement nationwide. In some cases, FTC enforcement actions result in refunds to consumers.
How long does it take to file an FTC report?
Filing at ReportFraud.ftc.gov takes about 10 minutes. You'll need a description of what happened, the scammer's contact info, and details about how you paid.
Should I report even if I didn't lose money?
Yes. Every report helps the FTC track scam patterns. Even unsuccessful scam attempts provide valuable data that helps protect others.