Discovering you have been targeted by a scam is alarming. Knowing exactly what to do next can mean the difference between recovering your money and losing it for good.
This guide walks you through how to report fraud to the FBI and FTC, secure your financial accounts, and build a paper trail that gives you the best chance of resolution.
Why You Need to Report Fraud Immediately
Time matters when you have been scammed. The faster you report, the better your chances of:
- Freezing stolen funds before they are moved
- Preventing further damage to your accounts and identity
- Building an official record that supports chargebacks and insurance claims
- Helping law enforcement track and shut down scam operations
Even if you think the amount is too small to matter, your report adds to a pattern that helps authorities identify and prosecute fraud rings.
Step 1: Secure Your Financial Accounts First
Before filing any reports, lock down your money:
- Call your bank immediately — report the fraud and ask them to flag your account for suspicious activity
- Change your passwords — especially for banking, email, and any accounts connected to the fraud
- Enable two-factor authentication on all financial accounts
- Request a fraud alert from one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) — this automatically notifies the other two
- Consider a credit freeze if the scammer accessed your Social Security number or other identity documents
If the scammer obtained your bank statements or financial documents, ask your bank about additional security measures like a verbal password requirement.
Step 2: File a Report with the FBI's IC3
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the primary federal agency for internet-related fraud.
How to file:
- Go to ic3.gov
- Click "File a Complaint"
- Provide your contact information
- Describe the fraud in detail — include dates, amounts, how you were contacted, and any information about the scammer
- Upload supporting documents (emails, screenshots, bank statements showing the fraudulent transactions)
- Submit and save your complaint ID number
What to include in your IC3 report:
- The scammer's name, company name, email addresses, and phone numbers
- How the scam worked (phishing email, fake website, phone call, etc.)
- The exact amount of money lost
- How you paid (wire transfer, cryptocurrency, credit card, etc.)
- Any social media profiles or websites used by the scammer
- Screenshots of all communications
Step 3: File a Report with the FTC
The Federal Trade Commission tracks fraud patterns and shares data with over 2,500 law enforcement agencies.
How to file:
- Go to reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Answer the guided questions about what happened
- Provide details about the scammer and the transaction
- Submit your report
The FTC does not resolve individual cases, but your report helps them identify trends and take action against fraud operations. It also creates an official record you can reference when disputing charges with your bank.
Step 4: File a Police Report
While local police may not investigate online fraud directly, a police report:
- Creates an official record for insurance claims
- Supports chargeback requests with your bank
- May be required by your financial institution to process fraud claims
Call your local police non-emergency number or visit the station to file. Bring all documentation including your IC3 complaint number.
Step 5: Dispute Charges with Your Bank or Credit Card
With your FBI and FTC reports filed, contact your bank's fraud department:
- For credit card charges: Request a chargeback under the Fair Credit Billing Act. You have 60 days from the statement date.
- For debit card charges: Report under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Reporting within 2 business days limits your liability to $50.
- For wire transfers: Contact the bank immediately — recovery is possible but time-sensitive.
- For cryptocurrency: Report to the platform used and file with the FBI, but recovery is significantly harder.
Provide your IC3 complaint number and FTC report when filing the dispute.
Common Scam Types and What to Watch For
Loan scams
A company asks for upfront fees or your bank statements before approving a loan. Legitimate lenders never require payment before disbursing funds.
Investment fraud
Promises of guaranteed high returns with no risk. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Phishing attacks
Emails or texts impersonating your bank, the IRS, or a company you use. Always verify by contacting the company directly through their official website.
Tech support scams
Someone claiming your computer has a virus and requesting remote access or payment to fix it. Legitimate companies do not cold-call about computer problems.
Quick Checklist: What to Do After Being Scammed
- [ ] Call your bank and secure your accounts
- [ ] Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication
- [ ] Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the credit bureaus
- [ ] File a complaint at ic3.gov (FBI)
- [ ] File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov (FTC)
- [ ] File a local police report
- [ ] Dispute the charges with your bank or credit card
- [ ] Save all documentation and reference numbers
- [ ] Monitor your credit reports for the next 12 months
Bottom Line
Reporting fraud is not just about your case — every report helps law enforcement build patterns that lead to shutdowns and prosecutions. File with both the FBI IC3 and FTC, secure your accounts immediately, and dispute the charges with your bank.
The process can feel overwhelming when you are already stressed from being scammed. If you want help filing these reports, gathering documentation, or navigating the calls to your bank, an AI assistant can handle the legwork while you focus on securing your accounts.
