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.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
A strong fraud report gives investigators a clear trail to follow. Collect as much of the following as possible before filing: the dates and times of every interaction, the exact amounts of any payments made, the names, phone numbers, email addresses, usernames, and website URLs associated with the scammer, the method of payment (card, wire, gift card, crypto), and transaction references or confirmation numbers.
For digital scams, preserve the actual evidence: take screenshots of the platform, profile, listing, or conversation. Forward suspicious emails to the relevant reporting inbox before deleting them. For phishing emails, the email header contains technical information about the sending server that investigators can use; learn how to view full headers in your email client or ask a tech-savvy friend to help.
For phone scams, write down the number that appeared on your caller ID, the time and duration of the call, the gist of what the caller said, and any reference numbers they gave you. If the call was from a spoofed number, note this and describe the claimed organisation.
For in-person scams, note physical descriptions, any vehicle registration numbers, business names or addresses, and the names used. Even partial information is useful. Do not exaggerate or speculate — investigators prefer accurate partial information over embellished accounts.
Common red flags
- You are tempted to fill in gaps in your memory with guesses — stick to what you know
- The scammer gave you a reference number or case number that may be fake evidence
- Evidence is only available for a limited time before being deleted by the platform
- You shared a device with the scammer during a remote access incident
- Any cryptocurrency transaction IDs need to be copied exactly — even one character error makes them unusable
What to do now
- Screenshot or download all evidence as soon as you suspect fraud
- Write down every interaction with dates and times before memory fades
- Record transaction IDs, wire reference numbers, and wallet addresses exactly
- Save email headers as well as message content
- Organise evidence in a folder before starting the report form
- Visit /report-a-scam for a pre-report checklist
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to provide my own personal details to file a report?
Most agencies allow anonymous reports, but providing your contact details makes it possible for investigators to follow up. Your details are not published and are protected under data protection laws.
What if I no longer have access to the scam account or messages?
Report what you can remember and note that evidence was deleted or accounts were removed. Agencies understand this happens and will still log your report. Even incomplete reports are valuable.