Stop & Verify
Search

Loading…

Popular

Searches run in your browser and are not sent or stored.

Menu
Check the signs

Official reporting routes

Where to report a scam.

Reporting helps the authorities spot patterns, warn others and, sometimes, trace the money. Choose your country for the official services — and if money moved, call your bank first.

Routes checked 13 October 2026

Before you report

Three things to do first.

Official services never charge a fee to take a report or to recover money. Anyone who offers to get your money back for a payment is a warning sign in itself. How recovery scams work.

  1. Protect your money first

    If money, card details or banking access were involved, call your bank or card provider before anything else, using the number on your card or in its app. A report to the authorities does not stop a payment.

  2. Keep the evidence

    Screenshot messages, profiles and payment confirmations. Note phone numbers, web addresses, usernames, dates, amounts and reference numbers. Do not delete the conversation yet.

  3. Report it — then tell the platform

    Use the official service for your country below, and report the account, advert or message on the app or site where it appeared so it can be removed.

United States

If you are in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 911.

  • Report fraud to the FTC

    Report a scam to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC uses reports to build cases against scammers, spot trends and warn the public.

    ReportFraud.ftc.gov

  • Report online crime to the FBI

    The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) takes reports of cyber-enabled crime, such as online fraud. It cannot respond to every report, and it will never contact you directly to ask for information or money.

    IC3.gov

  • Forward spam texts to 7726

    Forward a spam or scam text to 7726 (SPAM) so your mobile provider can help block similar messages. You can also use your messaging app’s ‘report junk’ option.

    Forward to 7726

  • Forward phishing emails

    The FTC recommends forwarding phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org and reporting the attempt at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Then delete the email.

    FTC: How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams

  • Report identity theft

    If someone has used your personal information, report it to the FTC and get a free personal recovery plan. You can also report by phone on 877-438-4338.

    IdentityTheft.gov

  • Report unwanted calls

    If you only want to report an unwanted call or robocall and didn’t lose money, use DoNotCall.gov. Include the number that called you and the date and time if you know them.

    DoNotCall.gov

  • Complain about a financial company

    If you have a problem with a bank account, money transfer or other financial product, you can submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which sends it to the company or to another agency.

    consumerfinance.gov/complaint

Checked against: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed · FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) · FTC: How To Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages · FTC: How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams · FTC: What To Know About Identity Theft · FTC: Phone Scams · FTC: How To Block Unwanted Calls · Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Submit a complaint

United Kingdom

If you are in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 999.

  • Report fraud to Report Fraud

    Report Fraud is the national service for reporting fraud and cyber crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. Report online or call 0300 123 2040.

    reportfraud.police.uk

  • In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101

    Report Fraud covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, report fraud and other financial crime to Police Scotland by calling 101. If you use Relay UK, call 18001 101.

    Call 101

  • Forward scam texts and report calls to 7726

    Forward suspicious texts free to 7726 so your mobile provider can investigate. To report a scam call, text 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the caller’s number.

    Forward to 7726

  • Forward scam emails to the NCSC

    Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) analyses them and can work to remove malicious links, but it cannot tell you the outcome.

    NCSC: Report a scam email

  • Report a scam website

    If you’ve found a website you think is a scam, report its address to the NCSC using its free online form.

    NCSC: Report a suspicious website

  • Investment, pension and crypto scams

    Report scams involving investments, pensions, insurance or cryptocurrency to the Financial Conduct Authority. If you’ve lost money, report to Report Fraud (or Police Scotland) first.

    FCA: Report a scam

  • Get consumer advice

    Citizens Advice’s consumer helpline (0808 223 1133; Welsh speakers 0808 223 1144) can advise you and pass details to Trading Standards, which decides whether to investigate. In Scotland, contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000.

    Citizens Advice consumer service

Checked against: GOV.UK: Report Fraud – new service from City of London Police · Stop! Think Fraud (GOV.UK): Reporting fraud · NCSC: Report a scam email · NCSC: Report a scam text message · NCSC: Report a scam website · NCSC: Phishing (respond and recover) · Police Scotland: Contact us · Financial Conduct Authority: Report a scam · Citizens Advice: Report a scam · Citizens Advice: Contact the consumer service

Canada

If you are in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 911.

  • Report fraud and cybercrime online

    The RCMP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) direct reports to this national online system, and you can report anonymously. If you are a victim, also contact your local police as soon as possible.

    reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca

  • Call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

    The CAFC asks people to report fraud whether or not they lost money, because reports help show crime trends. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4:45pm Eastern time, except holidays.

    1-888-495-8501

  • Forward spam texts to 7726

    Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM). It is free in Canada and alerts your mobile provider, which can investigate the message.

    Forward to 7726

  • Report spam emails and messages

    Report spam and other electronic threats to the Spam Reporting Centre. If you have been threatened or are a victim of a crime, contact your local police instead.

    Spam Reporting Centre form

  • If your identity was stolen

    The CAFC advises asking your financial institutions to flag your accounts, changing your passwords and reporting the fraud to both credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. File a police report and keep the file number.

    CAFC: What to do if you’re a victim

  • Unwanted telemarketing calls

    Complaints about unsolicited calls go to the National Do Not Call List, not the Spam Reporting Centre. Registering your number is free.

    National Do Not Call List

Checked against: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Report fraud and cybercrime · RCMP: Report cybercrime and fraud · Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: What to do if you’re a victim of fraud · Get Cyber Safe: Reporting spam text messages to 7726 · Government of Canada: Canada’s anti-spam legislation · Government of Canada: Report Spam · National Do Not Call List (DNCL)

Australia

If you are in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call Triple Zero (000).

  • Report a scam to Scamwatch

    Report scams to Scamwatch, including when you were targeted but lost no money or personal information. ASIC asks people to report investment scams here too. Reports can help remove scam websites, ads and contact details.

    Scamwatch: Report a scam

  • Report cybercrime to ReportCyber

    If you’ve lost money or personal information, report it through ReportCyber, run by the Australian Cyber Security Centre. Reports are referred to the relevant law enforcement agency for assessment. If you’ve lost money, contact your bank as soon as possible too.

    ReportCyber

  • Report cybercrime by phone

    You can call the ReportCyber line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    1300 292 371

  • Get identity theft support from IDCARE

    If you think a scammer may have stolen your identity, contact IDCARE, a not-for-profit identity and cyber support service. Its helpline is 1800 595 160 (Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm AEST).

    IDCARE

Checked against: Victorian Government: How to report cybercrime and online scams · Victorian Government: Stay safe from scams · ASIC: Scams · IDCARE: Contact IDCARE

Ireland

If you are in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 999 or 112.

  • Report fraud to your local Garda station

    An Garda Síochána says fraud in Ireland should be reported to your local Garda station, which can investigate. Bring copies of emails, account details, adverts and any other evidence.

    Garda station directory

  • Online scams and phishing

    If you lost money or gave personal details after an online scam or phishing message, contact your local Garda station. Gardaí also advise reporting it to the website or platform where it happened.

    Garda: Cyber crime awareness

  • Investment scams and unauthorised firms

    Check the Central Bank’s registers and warnings before investing. Report an investment scam or unauthorised firm to the Central Bank on 0818 681 681, and report the fraud to the Gardaí.

    Central Bank: Avoiding scams

  • Consumer advice from the CCPC

    The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission explains common scams and what to do. If you’ve paid a scammer, it says to contact your bank or card issuer immediately and report it to the Gardaí. Its helpline is +353 1 402 5555.

    CCPC: Scams

Checked against: An Garda Síochána: Fraud · An Garda Síochána: Cyber Crime Awareness · An Garda Síochána: Contact us · An Garda Síochána: Station directory · Central Bank of Ireland: Avoiding Scams and Unauthorised Activity · CCPC: Scams, what to watch out for and how to protect yourself

New Zealand

If you are in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 111.

  • Report fraud and scams to NZ Police

    Make a non-emergency report online (choose ‘Fraud/Scam/Cyber’) or call 105 at any time. The Department of Internal Affairs advises victims of online crime to report to Police first.

    Police 105 online reporting

  • Report an online security issue to the NCSC

    The National Cyber Security Centre’s online tool helps individuals and small businesses work out what has happened and what to do next. With your consent, it can refer your report to Police, DIA, banks or telecommunications companies. For help with the tool, call 0800 114 115.

    NCSC: Report an incident

  • Forward scam texts to 7726

    Forward spam or scam texts free to 7726. The Department of Internal Affairs replies by text so you can complete the report and add the sender’s number.

    Forward to 7726

  • Report spam emails

    Report spam emails to the Department of Internal Affairs using its online form, or forward them to complaint@spam.govt.nz. DIA does not investigate unsolicited phone calls; contact your telephone provider about those.

    reportspam.co.nz

  • Report online incidents to Netsafe

    The Department of Internal Affairs points people to Netsafe’s online reporting tool for online incidents.

    Netsafe

Checked against: NZ Police: 105 Police Non-Emergency Online Reporting · NCSC New Zealand: Report a cyber security issue · NCSC New Zealand: Report an incident – individuals and small business · NCSC New Zealand: Contact us · Department of Internal Affairs: Report TXT spam · Department of Internal Affairs: Report spam · Department of Internal Affairs: Report email spam

Somewhere else?

Start with your bank and the police.

Most countries have a national fraud or cybercrime reporting service, usually run by the police or a consumer-protection agency. Search for it on your government’s official website, and be wary of sites that ask for a fee.

Recovery steps by situation