Quick answer: Report unwanted robocalls and phone scams to the FTC at DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Report to the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov for telephone law violations including spoofed numbers. If you lost money to a phone scam, also file with the FBI at IC3.gov. Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at DoNotCall.gov to reduce legitimate telemarketing calls.
Americans receive billions of robocalls annually — many illegal. Scam calls impersonating the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, and tech support companies steal billions from consumers every year. Two federal agencies handle complaints: the FTC (for Do Not Call violations and scam calls) and the FCC (for telephone law violations, spoofing, and carrier-level issues). Both agencies use your reports to take enforcement action.
Types of Illegal Calls
Do Not Call violations occur when telemarketers call numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry without your permission. Illegal robocalls use autodialing or prerecorded messages without prior written consent (required since 2012 under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act). Spoofed calls disguise the caller’s real number to appear local or as a government agency. Common scam calls impersonate the IRS (threatening immediate arrest for “back taxes”), Social Security (claiming your number was suspended), Medicare (requesting your card number for a “new” card), tech support (claiming your computer has a virus), and “extended car warranty” and debt relief operations.
Where to Report Robocalls and Phone Scams
📄 Download Free Reporting Checklist
Get our step-by-step checklist as a quick reference guide
Get Your Free Checklist →| Situation | Agency | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Do Not Call violations / scam calls | FTC | 1-888-382-1222 | DoNotCall.gov |
| Spoofed numbers / TCPA violations | FCC | consumercomplaints.fcc.gov |
| Lost money to phone scam | FBI IC3 | IC3.gov |
| IRS impersonation call | Treasury Inspector General | 1-800-366-4484 | tigta.gov |
| SSA impersonation call | SSA OIG | 1-800-269-0271 | oig.ssa.gov |
| Register to reduce calls | National Do Not Call Registry | 1-888-382-1222 | donotcall.gov |
How to Report Robocalls and Phone Scams Step by Step
- Hang up — don’t engage. Don’t press any number, even “to be removed from the list.” Engaging confirms your number is active and leads to more calls. Never provide personal information to an inbound robocall.
- Note the details. Write down the number that called (even if spoofed), the time and date, what the caller said, and any company or agency name they claimed. This information is what you’ll need to file a report.
- Report to the FTC at DoNotCall.gov. File at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Report both Do Not Call violations (you’re on the registry) and scam calls. The FTC shares data with law enforcement and uses it to pursue robocall operations.
- Report to the FCC. For number spoofing, TCPA violations, and carrier-level issues, file at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. The FCC issues the largest per-call fines — up to $50,000 per willful violation.
- Report IRS impersonation to TIGTA. If the caller claimed to be the IRS threatening arrest or demanding immediate payment, report to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484 or tigta.gov. The real IRS contacts you by mail first.
- Report SSA impersonation to the SSA OIG. Calls claiming your Social Security number is “suspended” are a well-known scam. Report at oig.ssa.gov or 1-800-269-0271.
- File with the FBI’s IC3 if you lost money. If you paid anyone following a scam call — via gift cards, wire transfer, or Zelle — file at IC3.gov immediately. Time is critical for fund recovery.
- Register on the Do Not Call Registry. If your number isn’t already registered, sign up at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Legitimate telemarketers must honor it within 31 days.
Government Agencies Never Call Demanding Gift Cards
The IRS: Always contacts you by mail first. Will never call demanding immediate payment or threatening arrest. Will never request gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
Social Security: Will never call to say your number has been “suspended.” If you need to contact SSA, call 1-800-772-1213.
Medicare: Will never call asking for your Medicare number to send you a new card. If you receive such a call, hang up and report it.
Penalties for Illegal Robocalls
FTC penalties: Up to $51,744 per Do Not Call violation. The FTC has won judgments exceeding $100 million against major robocall operations.
FCC penalties: Up to $50,000 per willful TCPA violation. The FCC issued a $225 million fine in one robocall enforcement case.
Private lawsuits: The TCPA allows individuals to sue for $500–$1,500 per illegal call. Class actions have resulted in hundreds of millions in settlements.
Frequently Asked Questions
For related guides see: How to Report an Online Scam, How to Report Identity Theft, How to Report a Fake Charity.
Independent resource — not affiliated with any U.S. government agency. Last reviewed: June 2026.
This guide is a supporting article in our pillar resource covering all scam types, every federal agency, and all 50 state contacts.
How to Report Any Scam: Complete U.S. Guide →Rules and complaint offices vary by state. Use our state lookup to find the correct reporting agency, phone number, and complaint portal.
Find reporting agencies by state →