How to Report a Phone Scam

Reporting a phone scam may feel pointless when you are angry or embarrassed, but it is one of the most effective actions you can take. Reports help federal and state agencies identify scam patterns, shut down operations, and warn others. Even if you did not lose money, your report contributes to a larger picture that can lead to enforcement action.

Why Reporting Matters

Individual scam reports may seem like a drop in the bucket, but agencies rely on them to build cases.

How Reports Help

The FTC uses consumer reports to identify widespread scam campaigns and take legal action against perpetrators
Pattern data helps agencies issue public warnings about emerging threats
Phone carriers use reported numbers to update their spam filtering databases
Reports help lawmakers understand the scope of the problem and allocate resources accordingly
Your report could be the piece of information that connects the dots in an ongoing investigation

Where to Report Phone Scams

Multiple agencies accept scam reports, and you should file with as many as are relevant to your situation.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC is the primary federal agency for consumer fraud complaints.

File a report online at reportfraud.ftc.gov
You can also call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
Provide as much detail as possible: the phone number that called you, the date and time, what the caller said, and any company or agency they claimed to represent
If you lost money, describe the payment method and amount
The FTC does not resolve individual complaints but uses them to build enforcement cases

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The FCC regulates telecommunications and handles complaints about illegal calls.

File a complaint at fcc.gov/consumers/guides/filing-informal-complaint
The FCC addresses violations of robocall rules, caller ID spoofing, and Do Not Call list rules
Include the caller's number, the date, and a description of the call
The FCC can impose fines on companies that violate telecommunications law

Your State Attorney General

State attorneys general investigate and prosecute fraud at the state level.

Search for your state attorney general's consumer complaint portal online
Many states have dedicated fraud divisions that handle phone scams
State enforcement can result in lawsuits, fines, and restitution for victims
Your state AG may also issue consumer alerts based on complaint patterns

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

If the scam involved the internet — for example, a caller directed you to a fraudulent website or requested payment through an online platform — file with the FBI's IC3.

Submit a complaint at ic3.gov
IC3 handles complaints related to internet-facilitated fraud and routes them to appropriate law enforcement agencies
Include details about any websites, email addresses, or online accounts involved

Your Phone Carrier

Reporting scam numbers to your carrier helps improve spam detection for all customers.

Forward scam text messages to 7726 (SPAM) on most carriers
Call your carrier's customer service to report the number
Ask about enhanced call blocking features available with your plan

What Information to Include in Your Report

The more detail you provide, the more useful your report will be.

Essential Details

The phone number that appeared on your caller ID
The date and time of the call
What the caller said or claimed — try to recall specific phrases and claims
The name of any company or agency the caller impersonated
Whether the caller asked for money, personal information, or access to your computer
The payment method requested (gift cards, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, credit card)

If You Lost Money

The exact amount you paid or transferred
The method of payment and any transaction details
The name and address of any business or individual you sent money to
Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to attempt to reverse the transaction

Supporting Evidence

Voicemail recordings from the scammer
Call log screenshots showing the number and call history
Text messages or emails associated with the scam
Receipts for any payments you made

What to Do If You Already Lost Money

Acting quickly increases your chances of recovering funds.

Contact Your Financial Institution

Call your bank or credit card company and explain the situation
Request a chargeback or reversal of the fraudulent transaction
If you paid by wire transfer, contact the wire service (Western Union, MoneyGram) immediately
If you paid with gift cards, contact the gift card company with the card numbers — they may be able to freeze remaining funds

Place a Fraud Alert

Contact one of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — to place a fraud alert on your credit file
The bureau you contact is required to notify the other two
A fraud alert makes it harder for scammers to open new accounts in your name

Consider a Credit Freeze

A credit freeze is stronger than a fraud alert and prevents anyone from accessing your credit report to open new accounts.

Place a freeze with each of the three credit bureaus separately
The freeze is free and can be lifted temporarily when you need to apply for credit
This is especially important if you shared your Social Security number with the scammer

Preventing Future Scam Calls

After reporting, take steps to reduce your exposure to future scams.

Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov
Enable your phone's built-in spam filtering features
Install a call blocking app like Nomorobo, Hiya, or Truecaller
Never answer calls from unknown numbers — let them go to voicemail
Be skeptical of any unsolicited caller who creates a sense of urgency or asks for payment

Reporting a phone scam takes just a few minutes, but the collective impact of thousands of reports is what enables agencies to take meaningful action against scammers.