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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.
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the agency being impersonated. In the UK, report to Action Fraud and to HMRC's phishing team at [email protected].
Report to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov (US), which generates a personalised recovery plan. In the UK, report to Action Fraud and contact the fraud teams at affected companies directly.
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).
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FDA MedWatch (US) for bogus health products. In the UK, report to Action Fraud and to the MHRA's yellow card scheme.
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.
Use the platform's in-app 'Report' tool on the profile or post, then file with the FTC or Action Fraud if money was lost. Also report fake ads to the ad network.
Report to the FTC (US) or Action 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.
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.
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.
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). For UK student finance scams, report to Action Fraud and Student Loans Company.
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.
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.
Report to the FTC (US), your state public utilities commission, or Ofgem (UK). Also report to the supplier being impersonated and to Action Fraud if money was lost.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, prosecution is possible, especially when multiple reports point to the same operation. Overseas scammers face practical but not insurmountable obstacles through international cooperation.
Reporting is confidential and your identity is protected. Scammers are professionals exploiting human psychology — falling for a scam says nothing about your intelligence.
You can file a report on someone else's behalf with the FTC, Action Fraud, or Scamwatch. Describe your relationship to the victim and what you know about the fraud.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Report to local police abroad for a crime reference, then file with your home country's agency (FTC, Action Fraud, ACCC) and contact your bank as soon as you return or have connectivity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Minimise public personal information, use strong unique passwords with 2FA on every account, freeze your credit proactively, and monitor for breaches regularly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The IRS contacts taxpayers by postal mail first, never demands immediate gift-card or wire-transfer payment, and never threatens immediate arrest — any call making these claims is a scam.
Account takeover occurs when a fraudster gains access to an existing account using stolen credentials — prevent it with unique passwords, two-factor authentication, and immediate action on any breach notification.
Real banks send secure messages through their official app and never ask for your full password, PIN, or card CVV — contact your bank on the number on the back of your card if you have any doubt.
Never transfer money received into your account onward to a third party at someone else's request — this is money-mule activity that carries serious criminal liability regardless of whether you knew it was fraud.
Buy directly from brand authorised sellers or the manufacturer's own website, be suspicious of prices significantly below the brand's RRP, and check for authentication features or serial number verification before purchasing.
Legitimate financial advisers do not cold-call with unsolicited investment opportunities — hang up, verify the firm on your regulator's register, and never invest based on an unsolicited call.
Minimise what you share publicly on social media, opt out of data broker sites, use privacy-focused email settings, and treat every unsolicited contact asking for 'verification' information as a potential phishing attempt.
You cannot win a competition you did not enter, and any prize requiring a fee, taxes, or personal details upfront is a scam — delete unsolicited prize notifications without responding.
Pause before acting on anything urgent or too good to be true, verify before paying, use strong unique passwords with 2FA, and know that gift cards are never a legitimate payment method for any real organisation.
Scammers target older adults through phone calls, mail, and online channels, exploiting trust, social isolation, and unfamiliarity with digital red flags to run grandparent, Medicare, and tech-support scams.
College students are targeted with fake job postings, scholarship scams, rental fraud, and student-loan phishing because they are financially stressed, digitally active, and often making major financial decisions for the first time.
New immigrants face immigration-services fraud, fake government notices, employment scams, and notario fraud because language barriers, unfamiliarity with U.S. systems, and fear of authorities make them especially vulnerable.
Job seekers face fake employment listings, reshipping and money-mule schemes, and upfront-fee traps because their urgency to find work and willingness to share personal information make them easy to exploit.
Military families are targeted with romance scams impersonating deployed soldiers, predatory lending, fake VA benefits services, and moving-and-relocation fraud because frequent moves, deployment separations, and financial pressures create specific vulnerabilities.
Small-business owners are targeted with fake invoices, directory and advertising scams, fraudulent government-compliance notices, and supplier fraud because they receive high volumes of financial requests and may lack dedicated fraud-detection staff.
First-time crypto investors are targeted with fake exchanges, pump-and-dump groups, romance investment scams (pig butchering), and rug pulls because enthusiasm for potential gains and limited technical knowledge make them easy to mislead.