Scam Questions & Answers
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How do I report a scam to the ACCC in Australia?
Report at Scamwatch.gov.au, which is run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). You can also call 1300 795 995 for general consumer inquiries.
What happens after I report a scam?
Most individual reports are logged and contribute to pattern analysis. Active investigations are rare for single complaints, but your report directly enables larger enforcement actions.
Will reporting a scam get my money back?
Reporting alone rarely recovers money. Your best chance is contacting your bank immediately to request a recall, chargeback, or reimbursement under fraud protection rules.
Should I report a scam if I did not lose any money?
Yes. Reports from people who spotted and avoided a scam help agencies identify active fraud campaigns earlier and warn others before they become victims.
How do I report a scam text message?
Forward the scam text to 7726 (SPAM) in the UK, Australia, and the US. Also report to the FTC, Scamwatch, or Report Fraud and block the sender.
How do I report a scam email?
Forward phishing emails to [email protected] (global), to [email protected] (UK), or to [email protected] (US FTC). Also use your email provider's built-in 'Report phishing' button.
How do I report a scam website?
Report to Google Safe Browsing, the NCSC (UK), or the FTC (US) and submit a takedown to the domain registrar. Sites can be removed within hours if you act quickly.
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.
How do I report investment fraud?
Report to your national securities regulator: the SEC and CFTC in the US, the FCA in the UK, or ASIC in Australia. Also report to the FTC or Report Fraud and your bank.
How do I report a crypto scam?
Report to the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov, the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and the CFTC (US) or FCA (UK). Also report to the cryptocurrency exchange if you used one.
How do I report a romance scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov, and the platform where you met the scammer. Also contact your bank immediately if money was sent.
How do I report a job scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the job platform where the ad appeared, and to your state attorney general or the UK's Report Fraud if you lost money.
How do I report elder financial abuse or a scam targeting older adults?
Report to Adult Protective Services (US), your local police, the FTC, and the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11. In the UK, contact Adult Social Care and Report Fraud.
How do I report a fake or fraudulent charity?
Report to the FTC (US), the Charity Commission (England and Wales), or OSCR (Scotland). Also check whether the charity is legitimately registered before donating.
How do I report a rental scam?
Report to the FTC, the rental platform, and your state attorney general or Report Fraud. File a police report for a crime reference number and contact your bank if you paid a deposit.
How do I report a lottery or prize scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI IC3, and the US Postal Inspection Service if you were contacted by mail. In the UK, report to the Report Fraud service.
How do I report a tech support scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the company being impersonated. If you gave remote access, change all passwords immediately and run a full security scan.
How do I report a government impersonation scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the agency being impersonated. In the UK, report to the Report Fraud service and to HMRC's phishing team at [email protected].
How do I report identity theft?
Report to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov (US), which generates a personalised recovery plan. In the UK, report to the Report Fraud service and contact the fraud teams at affected companies directly.
How do I report a subscription or billing scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, dispute the charges with your card issuer, and report to your state attorney general or the Competition and Markets Authority (UK).
How do I report a health or medical scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FDA MedWatch (US) for bogus health products. In the UK, report to the Report Fraud service and to the MHRA's yellow card scheme.
How do I report an online shopping scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the marketplace or platform where you bought, and initiate a chargeback with your card issuer as soon as possible.
How do I report a scam on social media?
Use the platform's in-app 'Report' tool on the profile or post, then file with the FTC or Report Fraud if money was lost. Also report fake ads to the ad network.
How do I report a travel scam?
Report to the FTC (US) or Report Fraud (UK), to the travel booking platform, and to ABTA or ATOL (UK) or your state attorney general (US). Initiate a chargeback for card payments.
How do I report a pet or puppy scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the platform where the listing appeared, and to your state attorney general. Initiate a chargeback with your card issuer.
How do I report an MLM or pyramid scheme?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (US) or Trading Standards via Citizens Advice (UK). Your state attorney general also handles pyramid scheme complaints.
How do I report a student loan or education scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). For UK student finance scams, report to the Report Fraud service and Student Loans Company.
How do I report a business email compromise (BEC) scam?
Report to the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov immediately and contact your bank to request an emergency wire recall. BEC fraud is time-sensitive — every hour counts.
How do I report a fake cheque or overpayment scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the US Postal Inspection Service if the cheque came by mail, and your bank. Never send money back for an overpayment before a deposited cheque fully clears.
How do I report a utility or energy scam?
Report to the FTC (US), your state public utilities commission, or Ofgem (UK). Also report to the supplier being impersonated and to Report Fraud if money was lost.
How do I report a car or vehicle scam?
Report to the FTC, your state attorney general, and the platform where the vehicle was listed. Report VIN fraud or clocking to the DVLA (UK) or the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (US).
How do I report an insurance scam or fraudulent insurer?
Report to your state insurance commissioner (US) or the FCA (UK). For organised insurance fraud such as crash-for-cash, also report to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (UK) or the FBI (US).
How do I report a scam in an online game or gaming platform?
Report to the game publisher or platform using their in-game or website reporting tool. For real-money losses, also report to the FTC and your card issuer.
How do I report an AI deepfake or impersonation scam?
Report to the FTC, the FBI IC3, and the platform hosting the content. For voice or video cloning of a real person, also notify that person and their legal representatives.
How do I report a mail or parcel delivery scam?
Report smishing parcel scam texts to 7726 and to the courier being impersonated. Report mail fraud in the US to the Postal Inspection Service at postalinspectors.uspis.gov.
How do I report a legal or immigration scam?
Report to the FTC, the state bar association (if a fake lawyer was involved), and USCIS (US) or the Solicitors Regulation Authority (UK). For notario fraud, report to the Department of Justice.
How long do I have to report a scam?
There is no time limit for reporting to the FTC, Report 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.
What information do I need to report a scam?
Gather dates, amounts, contact details used by the scammer, screenshots or records of communications, and any transaction references. The more detail you provide, the more useful your report.
Can scammers actually be prosecuted after I report them?
Yes, prosecution is possible, especially when multiple reports point to the same operation. Overseas scammers face practical but not insurmountable obstacles through international cooperation.
How do I report a scam if I feel embarrassed or ashamed?
Reporting is confidential and your identity is protected. Scammers are professionals exploiting human psychology — falling for a scam says nothing about your intelligence.
How do I report a scam on behalf of someone else?
You can file a report on someone else's behalf with the FTC, Report Fraud, or Scamwatch. Describe your relationship to the victim and what you know about the fraud.
How do I use a scam risk checker or risk score tool?
Use the ScamEncyclopedia risk checker at /risk-score/scam-risk-checker to assess a suspicious message, website, or contact, then report through the appropriate official channel based on the results.
How do I report a scam to Trading Standards in the UK?
Report to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline at 0808 223 1133. Citizens Advice passes reports to Trading Standards and can advise on your consumer rights.
How do I report a scam-related dispute to the Financial Ombudsman in the UK?
If your bank or financial firm has not resolved your fraud complaint within eight weeks, escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service at financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
How do I report a financial scam to the CFPB in the US?
File a complaint at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The CFPB handles complaints about banks, lenders, credit bureaus, and financial services companies — particularly useful for student loan, mortgage, and debt collection fraud.
How do I report a scam to a cryptocurrency exchange?
Contact the exchange's fraud or security team immediately with wallet addresses and transaction IDs. Some exchanges can freeze funds or assist law enforcement if you act within hours.
How do I report a scam that happened while I was abroad?
Report to local police abroad for a crime reference, then file with your home country's agency (FTC, Report Fraud, ACCC) and contact your bank as soon as you return or have connectivity.
Does reporting a scam actually help anyone?
Yes. Scam reports directly lead to enforcement actions, consumer alerts, platform takedowns, and the statistical data that drives public policy and funding for fraud prevention.
How do I report a recovery scam or fake scam recovery service?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI IC3. Recovery scams are secondary frauds that target people who have already been victimised once.
How do I protect my elderly parent from scams?
Establish open communication, set up account alerts, and create a trusted-contact arrangement with their bank so unusual activity triggers a call before money moves.
How do I protect my teenager from online scams?
Teenagers are targeted through gaming, social media, and fake job offers — open dialogue about what scams look like in their digital world is more effective than software restrictions alone.
How do I protect my small business from scams?
Train staff to verify payment requests by phone before acting, implement dual-approval for wire transfers, and watch for invoice fraud and fake government compliance notices.
How do I protect my online accounts from being hacked or taken over?
Use a unique strong password for every account, enable two-factor authentication (ideally with an authenticator app), and never click password-reset links you did not request.
How do I protect my phone number from a SIM-swap scam?
Add a SIM-lock PIN or port-freeze to your mobile account, and switch important accounts to app-based two-factor authentication so your phone number is no longer the key to your finances.
How do I check if a website is legitimate before I buy anything?
Check the domain age, look for verifiable contact details, read third-party reviews, and trust your instincts — sites with prices far below market and no traceable business behind them are almost always fraudulent.
How do I check if an online store is legitimate before placing an order?
Beyond the basics of HTTPS and reviews, confirm the store has a traceable business registration, real customer-service contact, and a clear returns policy — and pay by credit card so you can dispute a non-delivery.
How do I check if a charity is legitimate before donating?
Search the charity's name on a charity navigator site and confirm its registration number with your country's official charity regulator — legitimate charities welcome this scrutiny.
How do I check if a company is legitimate before doing business with them?
Verify the business registration in an official company database, check for a physical address and working phone number, and look for independent reviews before signing a contract or sending money.
How do I check if an investment opportunity is legitimate?
Verify the firm and any individual adviser are registered with your financial regulator, and be deeply sceptical of any investment promising guaranteed returns or pressure to decide quickly.
What should I do immediately after a data breach affecting my accounts?
Change your password for the breached service immediately, check whether the same password was reused elsewhere, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your credit for unusual activity.
How do I freeze my credit and why should I do it?
A credit freeze prevents new credit lines from being opened in your name without your permission — it is free in the US, takes about 15 minutes, and is one of the most powerful identity-theft protections available.
How do I set up two-factor authentication (2FA) on my accounts?
Go to each account's security settings, choose two-factor authentication, and select an authenticator app rather than SMS — this single step dramatically reduces account-takeover risk.
How do I spot a spoofed phone number?
Caller ID is not proof of identity — anyone can spoof any number. Hang up and call back using a number from an official source if you receive an unexpected call claiming to be from a bank, government agency, or utility.
How do I protect my identity online?
Minimise public personal information, use strong unique passwords with 2FA on every account, freeze your credit proactively, and monitor for breaches regularly.
How do I check if a landlord or rental listing is legitimate before paying a deposit?
Verify ownership of the property through public records, insist on viewing the property in person before paying anything, and never wire a deposit to someone you have only communicated with online.
How do I check if a job recruiter or employer is legitimate?
Verify the recruiter's LinkedIn profile and the company's official website independently, and reject any 'employer' that asks for upfront fees, personal financial details before a job offer, or payment to access work.
How do I protect myself from phishing emails?
Hover over links before clicking, check the sender's full email domain character by character, and go directly to the organisation's website instead of following any link in an email about your account.
How do I verify that a communication from a government agency is real?
Real government agencies initiate contact by official mail, not unexpected phone calls demanding immediate payment — hang up and call the agency's official published number to verify any contact.
How do I protect myself from a romance scam?
Video-call any online connection early and often, never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person, and treat any request for financial help from an online-only relationship as a strong warning sign.
How do I protect myself from cryptocurrency scams?
Verify any crypto platform with your financial regulator before depositing, never invest based on advice from an online contact, and remember that crypto transactions are irreversible.
How do I protect myself from tech support scams?
Microsoft, Apple, and Google never call you unsolicited about a virus on your computer — close any alarming pop-up by force-quitting your browser, and never give remote access to an unsolicited caller.
How do I protect myself from subscription traps and billing scams?
Read the full terms before entering card details on any free trial, set a calendar reminder before the trial ends, and use a virtual card number for subscriptions you are uncertain about.
How do I protect myself from lottery and prize scams?
You cannot win a lottery you did not enter, and legitimate prizes never require an upfront fee to collect — any message saying you have won and must pay first is a scam.
How do I protect myself from health and medical scams?
Never buy prescription medication from an unverified online pharmacy, be deeply sceptical of any supplement or treatment promising to cure a serious condition, and verify any medical billing claim against your Explanation of Benefits.
How do I protect myself from utility and energy company scams?
Real utility companies do not demand same-day payment to avoid disconnection, never require gift cards, and will give you time to verify a bill — hang up and call the number on your statement.
How do I protect myself from travel and vacation scams?
Book through established platforms or directly with the accommodation, use a credit card for all travel purchases, and verify every booking confirmation through the supplier's official app or website before your trip.
How do I protect myself from car-buying and vehicle scams?
Run a VIN check, have any used vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic, and never pay a deposit for a vehicle you have not seen in person — especially if the seller wants wire transfer or gift cards.
How do I protect myself from pet and puppy scams?
Never pay for a pet you have not seen in person, meet the animal at the breeder's or seller's location before any money changes hands, and be very cautious of online-only pet listings requiring shipping.
How do I protect myself from insurance scams?
Verify any insurance agent's licence with your state insurance department, buy only from insurers with an AM Best or similar rating, and be cautious of unusually cheap policies that lack a documented insurer behind them.
How do I protect my social media accounts from being compromised?
Use a unique strong password with app-based two-factor authentication on every social account, and recognise that a hijacked account will be used to scam your followers while appearing to be you.
How do I protect myself from MLM and pyramid scheme recruitment?
Evaluate any multi-level marketing opportunity purely on retail product sales to customers outside the organisation — if income primarily comes from recruiting others, it is a pyramid scheme regardless of what products are sold.
How do I protect myself from AI-powered scams like voice cloning and deepfakes?
Establish a verbal code word with close family for emergency requests, and treat any call creating urgency around money with scepticism regardless of how authentic the voice sounds.
How do I protect myself and my family from gaming and in-game scams?
Buy in-game currency and items only through the game's official store, never share your login credentials for boosting services, and set spending controls on your child's gaming account.
How do I protect myself from fake parcel delivery and courier scams?
Track any delivery through the carrier's official website using a tracking number you received from the sender — never pay a customs or re-delivery fee by clicking a link in an unexpected text message.
How do I protect myself or my student from education and student loan scams?
Federal student aid is managed exclusively through studentaid.gov — any third party charging fees to apply for aid, forgiveness, or scholarships is almost certainly a scam.
How do I protect myself from legal and immigration scams?
Only use licensed attorneys or accredited representatives for immigration help — notarios and notary publics have no authority to provide immigration advice in the US, regardless of what they claim.
What steps should a renter take to avoid rental fraud before signing a lease?
View the property in person, confirm the landlord's ownership in public records, pay the deposit by traceable bank transfer with a signed lease in hand, and never pay in cash or via wire transfer before signing.
How do I avoid charity scams after a natural disaster or major news event?
Give only to established organisations you can verify in a charity register, donate directly on their official website, and wait a few days after a disaster for vetted relief organisations to be publicised.
How do I quickly check whether a link or website is safe before clicking?
Use a combination of Google's Safe Browsing checker, your browser's built-in warnings, and the /risk-score/scam-risk-checker to assess unfamiliar URLs before you enter any personal or payment information.
How do I protect my family against the grandparent scam?
Establish a family code word for genuine emergencies, and remind older relatives that no real grandchild or lawyer will ask them to keep an emergency secret from other family members.
How do I protect myself from pig-butchering investment fraud?
Be deeply suspicious of any new online contact who eventually steers conversation toward investments, especially crypto platforms — the relationship is the setup, and the investment pitch is the scam.
How do I recognise and avoid advance-fee fraud?
If receiving money, an inheritance, a prize, or a business deal requires you to pay fees first, it is advance-fee fraud — there is no money, and every payment leads to a request for another.
How do I avoid paying fake fees to get a remote job or freelance contract?
Legitimate employers never charge fees for hiring, equipment, or training — any 'job' requiring upfront payment is a scam, and any cheque sent before you start work will bounce.
What is business email compromise and how do I prevent it?
Business email compromise uses spoofed or hacked email accounts to impersonate executives and trick employees into wiring money — a verbal confirmation call on a known number defeats it every time.
How do I protect myself from smishing (SMS phishing) attacks?
Never click a link in an unexpected text about a bank account, delivery, or government benefit — go directly to the organisation's app or website instead to check any claimed issue.
How do I report a scam effectively to maximise the chance of action?
File with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov as your primary report, then report to the specific relevant agency (FBI IC3 for cyber fraud, CFPB for financial institutions, state AG for consumer fraud), and report on the platform where the scam occurred.
How do I protect myself from impersonation scams in general?
Hang up on any unexpected call creating urgency, call back on a number you find independently, and remember that no legitimate organisation will ever demand payment via gift card.
What is social engineering and how do I protect myself from it?
Social engineering manipulates human psychology rather than computer systems — scepticism of urgency, authority claims, and information requests you did not initiate are the main defences.
How do I create a family anti-scam plan that actually works?
Agree on a code word, a money-pause rule, and a designated person to call before any unusual financial request — these three elements cover most scam scenarios across all ages.
How do I avoid being scammed when buying or selling on online marketplaces?
Meet locally in a public place for cash transactions, use the platform's payment system rather than Venmo or Zelle, and never accept a cheque for more than the agreed price.