Can I report a scam anonymously without giving my personal details?
Yes — the FTC and FBI's IC3 accept anonymous reports. Some detail helps investigators but you are not required to provide your name or contact information.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Many scam victims hesitate to report because they feel embarrassed, fear retribution, or simply want to protect their privacy. The good news is that both the FTC and the FBI's IC3 accept reports from people who prefer not to share their personal information.
At ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FTC allows you to submit a report without creating an account or providing your contact information. The data you submit about the scam — the scammer's phone number, website, payment method, and what happened — is valuable regardless of whether your name is attached. The FTC uses aggregate data, so even an anonymous report contributes to enforcement patterns.
The FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov similarly does not require full personal identification for a standard complaint. However, if you want law enforcement to potentially follow up with you (if they build a case and need your testimony), providing contact information improves that possibility.
For reports to your state attorney general, some require contact information to investigate individual cases. However, you can still report purely to flag the scam for the public record. Charity Navigator, the Better Business Bureau, and similar watchdog organizations also accept reports, and their databases are publicly visible — which can protect others even without individual follow-up.
If you have concerns about retaliation from a specific scammer who knows your identity, mention this context in your FBI IC3 report — the FBI's victim assistance program can advise on safety.
Common red flags
- You are aware of an ongoing scam affecting others but have not lost money yourself
- You want to flag a suspicious company or website without providing personal details
- You have already reported elsewhere and want to flag additional agencies without repeating personal information
What to do now
- File an anonymous report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — no account required
- File with the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov — personal details are optional
- Report scam websites to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing.antiphishing.org
- Flag suspicious listings to the relevant platform (eBay, Facebook, Craigslist)
- Visit /report-a-scam for a full directory of reporting options
Frequently asked questions
Does anonymous reporting actually help if I provide no contact information?
Yes. The FTC uses anonymized complaint data to identify patterns, take enforcement action, and issue public warnings. Your report of a specific scam phone number or website, even without your name, adds to the volume of evidence investigators use to build cases.
I am afraid the scammer will retaliate if I report — is this a real risk?
Retaliation from scammers against individual reporters is rare — most scam operations are running hundreds or thousands of targets simultaneously and have no way to identify which victim filed a specific report. If you have a specific safety concern, contact local law enforcement or note it in your FBI IC3 report.