How to Report a Scam: The Complete U.S. Guide (All Types, All States)

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{“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Can I get my money back after being scammed?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “It depends on how you paid. Credit card chargebacks work well. Wire transfers can sometimes be recalled within 24-72 hours. Crypto can sometimes be traced. Gift cards and cash are hardest to recover.”}},
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Quick answer: Report any scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI at IC3.gov. If money was wired or sent in crypto, file with IC3 immediately — funds can sometimes be recovered within 24–72 hours. Also file with your state Attorney General (all 50 listed below).

Americans lost $10.02 billion to fraud in 2023 according to the FTC — a record high for the third straight year. The good news: reporting works. In 2023, the FTC and state partners returned over $324 million to fraud victims. The FBI’s IC3 Asset Recovery Team recovered $738 million in 2023. Every report matters — even if you lost nothing, your complaint may trigger an investigation that protects the next victim.

Online, Phone & Robocall Scams

Online and phone scams are the most common fraud category — the FTC received 2.6 million fraud reports in 2023. Illegal robocalls carry fines up to $50,000 per call.

Investment, Crypto & Financial Fraud

Crypto fraud alone cost Americans $5.6 billion in 2023 — a 45% increase over 2022. Report to FBI IC3 immediately; blockchain tracing works best in the first 24–72 hours.

Identity Theft & Impersonation

Identity theft is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 1028. Act fast — new fraudulent accounts can be opened within hours of a data breach.

Romance, Impersonation & Relationship Scams

Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023 with a median individual loss of $2,000. They often overlap with crypto fraud (“pig butchering”).

Financial, Debt & Loan Scams

Charity & Government Impersonation Scams

Federal Agencies: Where to Report Any Scam

All 50 State Attorney General Scam Reporting Contacts

Your state AG enforces state consumer protection laws and can pursue local scammers faster than federal agencies. Always file with your state AG in addition to federal agencies.

How to Report a Scam: 7 Universal Steps

1. Stop all contact and payments. Do not send more money, even if pressured. Block the scammer’s number and email immediately.
2. Document everything. Screenshot all messages, record phone numbers, note dates and amounts. Gather all payment receipts — bank transfers, gift card numbers, crypto transaction IDs.
3. Contact your bank immediately if you paid. For wire transfers, call within 24 hours. For card payments, file a chargeback. For gift cards, call the card issuer’s fraud line.
4. File with the FTC. ReportFraud.ftc.gov is the federal clearinghouse for all fraud. Takes 10 minutes and the data feeds enforcement actions.
5. File with the FBI IC3. IC3.gov for any internet, phone, or wire fraud — especially crypto. Include all transaction IDs and contact details.
6. File with your state AG using the contacts above. State AGs often act faster on local cases and have obtained consumer refunds.
7. File specialized reports for your scam type — use the tables above to find the right agency.

What To Do If Agencies Don’t Respond: Last Resort Options

Federal and state agencies handle thousands of complaints and can’t investigate every case. If you’ve filed everywhere with no result, here are your remaining options:

1. Hire a consumer protection attorney. Many take fraud cases on contingency (no upfront cost). Under the FTC Act and state UDAP laws, prevailing plaintiffs can recover attorney fees. Search via NACA (National Association of Consumer Advocates) at consumeradvocates.org.
2. File in small claims court. If you know the scammer’s identity, most states let you sue for up to $5,000–$10,000 without a lawyer. Effective for local contractors, dealers, and landlords.
3. Contact your state legislator’s office. Constituent services offices can sometimes prompt state agencies into action on unresolved complaints against licensed businesses.
4. File a BBB complaint and write a public review. Public complaints create reputational pressure and establish a pattern that AGs use to build cases.
5. Contact investigative journalists. Local TV consumer segments, newspapers, and outlets like ProPublica actively cover fraud. A journalist inquiry often moves agencies faster than a formal complaint.
6. Call your state AG’s consumer hotline directly — not just the online form. Ask for a case number and status update. Persistence works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Independent resource — not affiliated with any U.S. government agency. Last reviewed: June 2026.