How long do I have to report a scam?
There is no time limit for reporting to the FTC, Action Fraud, or Scamwatch. However, chargeback and bank fraud claim windows are typically 60 to 120 days, so act on financial disputes as fast as possible.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Government fraud reporting agencies — the FTC, FBI IC3, Action Fraud, and Scamwatch — have no formal deadline for accepting reports. You can report a scam that happened years ago. Older reports have less immediate recovery value but still contribute to intelligence, pattern detection, and class-action investigations.
Bank fraud claim timelines are much stricter. In the US, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act gives you 60 days from your statement to report unauthorised electronic transactions. Credit card chargebacks are governed by your card network (Visa, Mastercard) and typically allow 60 to 120 days from the transaction date or from when you realised there was a problem, depending on the reason code. Some banks apply their own shorter deadlines on top of network rules.
In the UK, under the Consumer Credit Act and the FCA's APP reimbursement rules, banks must be notified promptly. While there is no absolute statutory cut-off, the sooner you report, the stronger your case. The Financial Ombudsman Service accepts complaints up to six years after the event, or three years from when you knew you could complain.
For civil litigation, the limitation period for fraud in the US is typically 2 to 5 years from discovery, varying by state. In England and Wales, it is 6 years from the date of the fraud or 3 years from discovery. If you are considering legal action, consult a solicitor or attorney promptly.
Common red flags
- A 'recovery service' tells you it is too late to report through official channels and only they can help
- You are offered a settlement from a class action you were unaware of, requiring an upfront fee
- A lawyer you have not contacted calls to offer representation for a past fraud with no explanation of how they know
- Someone claims your old report has been 'escalated' and requires a fee to proceed
What to do now
- File with the FTC, Action Fraud, or Scamwatch as soon as you can, regardless of time passed
- Contact your bank within their stated chargeback window — typically 60 to 120 days
- Place a fraud alert with credit bureaus if personal data was involved
- Consult a solicitor or attorney if you are considering civil action
- Review /recovery for a timeline of all relevant deadlines
- Preserve all evidence regardless of when you plan to report
Frequently asked questions
Is there a time limit on reporting identity theft?
There is no deadline to report identity theft to the FTC or Action Fraud. However, disputing fraudulent accounts on your credit file is easier soon after discovery. You can request that credit bureaus add a statement to your file at any time.
Can I still get a refund from my bank if it has been more than 120 days?
The chargeback window has likely closed, but you can still escalate a complaint through formal channels. In the UK, the Financial Ombudsman can review bank disputes up to six years back in some cases. In the US, file a complaint with the CFPB.