Report a Scam

If you or someone you know has been scammed, help is available. Use the resources below to report what happened, protect your finances, and connect with people who understand what you're going through.

Federal Reporting Agencies

File with these agencies first. Your report feeds investigations even if you don't hear back directly.

Agency Best For Link
FBI IC3 Online fraud, romance scams, crypto theft, BEC, investment fraud ic3.gov
FTC Consumer fraud, identity theft, deceptive practices reportfraud.ftc.gov
U.S. Secret Service Large-scale financial cybercrime, BEC, money mule networks secretservice.gov
SEC Fraudulent investment offerings and securities fraud sec.gov/tcr
CFTC Futures and cryptocurrency trading scams cftc.gov/complaint
CISA Ransomware, hacking, and data breaches cisa.gov/report

Contact Your Bank or Payment Platform Immediately

The faster you act, the better your chances of recovering funds. When you call:

  • Ask for the fraud or recovery team — not general customer service
  • Request an account freeze or wire recall
  • Get a case number — you will need it for insurance and law enforcement
  • Mention that you have filed a report with FBI IC3

Zelle / Venmo / Cash App — contact support directly through the app
PayPal — paypal.com/us/cshelp
Credit cards — dispute the charge immediately with your card issuer

Crypto & Investment Fraud

Pig-butchering scams, fake trading platforms, and crypto theft are among the fastest-growing fraud types. Report to:

  • FBI IC3 — primary reporting portal
  • SEC — fraudulent investment platforms
  • CFTC — crypto trading scams
  • CryptoScamDB — database of known fraudulent addresses

Sextortion & Image-Based Abuse

If someone is threatening to share intimate images or videos of you: do not pay. Take screenshots, block the scammer, and report immediately.

Social Media & Platform Reporting

Platforms can remove fraudulent accounts and preserve evidence quickly. Use the in-app Report function or visit these links:

Private Cybercrime Investigation & Asset Recovery

If you have lost a significant amount and want to pursue asset tracing or scammer identification, a vetted private cybercrime investigator can build a case and work alongside law enforcement.

Rexxfield — Cybercrime Investigations & Digital Asset Tracing

One of the longest-running private cybercrime investigation firms, established in 2008. Rexxfield specializes in crypto asset tracing, romance scam cases, and pig-butchering fraud. They work directly with the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, Interpol, and law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Website: rexxfield.com  |  Contact: rexxfield.com/contact  |  North America: 1-202-998-6155

Impersonation warning: Rexxfield is frequently impersonated by scammers posing as recovery services. They will never contact you first and will never request upfront payment before a verified consultation. Always reach them through their official website.

Victim Support & Nonprofit Organizations

  • Intelligence for Good (I4G) — Coordinates data between victims, banks, and investigators
  • GASA (Global Anti-Scam Alliance) — Education and policy advocacy
  • GASO (Global Anti-Scam Organization) — Victim support and scam compound intelligence
  • Operation Shamrock — Volunteer-driven investigation and public awareness
  • AVAH — Support for emotional and online abuse victims

Protecting Older Adults & Vulnerable Family Members

If an older adult or dependent family member is being financially exploited, contact your local Adult Protective Services (APS). They can open a welfare case and coordinate with banks and law enforcement.

Find your state APS office

Share Technical Evidence

If you have emails, domains, crypto wallet addresses, or screenshots, sharing them with trusted researchers helps identify and disrupt criminal networks.

Local Law Enforcement

File a report with your local police department. Even if the scam was international, this creates an official record for banks, insurance claims, and credit bureaus.

After You Report

Most agencies will not contact you directly after filing — and that silence can feel discouraging. But your report still contributes to larger investigations, policy changes, and future prosecutions.

Being scammed does not define you. Connect with support communities, prioritize your mental health, and know that compassionate advocates exist specifically to help you be heard and believed.

A note on institutional responses: Some agencies can be dismissive during the reporting process. That does not mean your experience is not valid — it means the system still has work to do. You deserve to be heard.