How do I report a scam phone number?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (US), to Ofcom via ofcom.org.uk (UK), or to the ACCC via Scamwatch.gov.au (Australia), and register with the national Do Not Call list.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
In the US, report scam calls and robocalls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses this data to pursue robocall operators and has taken action against companies making billions of illegal calls. You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov, though this will not stop scammers who deliberately ignore the registry.
In the UK, Ofcom oversees telephone numbering. Report nuisance calls to Ofcom at ofcom.org.uk/contact/ofcom-complaints. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) handles unsolicited direct marketing calls and can fine companies. If you receive a call from what appears to be a UK bank or official number and you are unsure whether it is genuine, hang up and call back using the number on the official website after waiting a few minutes.
In Australia, report to the ACCC at Scamwatch.gov.au. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) handles Do Not Call breaches. Australia's telecommunications industry also operates a Scam Indicator service that allows banks and telcos to share scam call signals in real time.
For calls impersonating a specific company, also report to that company's fraud team. Many large organisations have dedicated lines for reporting impersonation. They can issue warnings to their customers and, in some cases, work with carriers to block the spoofed number.
Common red flags
- The caller claims to be from your bank, HMRC, the IRS, or police and demands immediate action
- The call comes from a number that looks like a local or trusted number
- The caller uses a pre-recorded message and asks you to press a number
- You are told your computer has a virus and asked to install software
- The caller refuses to let you hang up and call back
- Heavy pressure to stay on the line and not check with anyone
What to do now
- Do not give out personal or financial information on an unsolicited call
- Note the number and report to the FTC, Ofcom, or Scamwatch
- Register with the national Do Not Call list if you have not already
- Use your carrier's call-blocking service or a third-party app
- Report the number to the organisation being impersonated
- Warn others in your household, especially elderly relatives
Frequently asked questions
Will reporting a scam number get it blocked immediately?
Not immediately. Carriers and regulators analyse patterns across many reports before blocking a number. However, your report contributes to that threshold being reached faster.
What if the scam number is a spoofed legitimate number?
Report the number as shown on your caller ID and explain in the report that it appeared to be from a legitimate institution. Investigators understand spoofing and will look at the actual originating number through carrier records.