FTC ReportFraud (US)

ReportFraud.ftc.gov is the Federal Trade Commission's main portal for US consumers to report fraud, scams, and bad business practices. When a consumer files a report, the information enters the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database accessible to over 2,600 law enforcement agencies in the US and abroad. The database is used to identify fraud trends, build cases against repeat offenders, and produce public reports on the most prevalent fraud types. The FTC's annual Consumer Sentinel Data Book is published using this data.

Reports can cover any type of fraud: impersonation of government agencies, online shopping fraud, subscription traps, investment fraud, identity theft, and more. Identity theft reports are handled through a separate but linked portal at IdentityTheft.gov, which generates personalised recovery plans. The FTC uses aggregated complaint data to prioritise its enforcement actions; it does not investigate individual reports or contact complainants about individual cases.

Consumers should report even small losses and even if they are unsure whether what happened was technically a crime. Filing a report is also relevant for civil litigation, insurance claims, and tax deductions for fraud losses. After submitting, you will receive a reference number. The FTC's website also publishes a scam alert database at consumer.ftc.gov where you can check whether others have reported similar experiences.