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.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Near-miss reports are genuinely valuable to fraud investigators. When many people report the same phone number, email address, or website without losing money, agencies can issue warnings and take action before the scam scales up. Scamwatch in Australia and the FTC in the US both actively encourage reporting of attempts that were not successful.
Your report may be the first to flag a brand-new scam type. Fraudsters constantly adapt their scripts and methods, so a fresh report about an unusual pitch can trigger an early alert that protects thousands of other potential victims. This is particularly true for new impersonation tactics or newly registered phishing websites.
Reporting also creates a paper trail that is useful if the scammer tries again or if someone you know falls for the same scam later. Your reference number can be cited when warning family and friends.
The process is quick. Most reporting portals allow you to complete a near-miss report in under five minutes. You do not need to provide financial information if no money changed hands. Simply describe what happened, how you were contacted, what you were asked to do, and how you recognised it as a scam.
Common red flags
- The scam attempt was highly convincing and others might not spot it
- The scammer used official-looking branding or a realistic website
- Multiple contacts tried the same pitch on you
- The scammer possessed some of your personal details, suggesting a data breach
- The contact method (number, email, domain) appears to be actively used
What to do now
- Report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, Scamwatch.gov.au, or actionfraud.police.uk
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) in the UK or to [email protected] in the US
- Report phishing emails to your email provider's abuse address
- Block the number or address so it cannot contact you again
- Share information with family and friends who might receive the same approach
- Check /report-a-scam for the full list of reporting channels
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum loss amount to file a report?
No. There is no financial threshold for filing a fraud report with the FTC, IC3, Action Fraud, or Scamwatch. Attempted scams with zero loss are welcomed.
Will reporting take a long time if I lost nothing?
Near-miss reports are typically shorter. Most portals have an option indicating that you did not lose money, and the form asks fewer financial questions as a result.