How to trace a fraud perpetrator and recover scammed funds using public records

Discovering you have been scammed is a gut-punch. Whether it was an online marketplace seller who vanished after payment, a contractor who took your deposit and disappeared, or a romance scam that drained your savings, the mix of anger, embarrassment, and helplessness can feel overwhelming. Take a breath — you are not alone, and there are concrete steps you can take right now to trace the person responsible and pursue the return of your money.

This guide walks you through a practical, legal framework for identifying a fraud perpetrator, reporting the crime to the appropriate agencies, and maximizing your chances of financial recovery. Every method described here relies on publicly available information and legitimate reporting channels — no shady tactics required.

Secure your evidence first

Before you start searching for the person who scammed you, lock down every piece of evidence you already have. Evidence deteriorates quickly — websites go offline, phone numbers get recycled, and social media profiles disappear.

• Save screenshots of every conversation, email, text message, and social media interaction.
• Download transaction records from your bank, payment app, or cryptocurrency wallet.
• Preserve website pages using a web archiving tool or simply by printing them to PDF.
• Record phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and usernames the scammer used.
• Note dates, times, and amounts for every payment or transfer.

Store copies in at least two places — a cloud folder and a local drive. This evidence will be critical when you file reports and, eventually, when law enforcement or a court needs documentation.

Use public records to identify the scammer

Scammers often use partial real information mixed with fake details. A people search can help you untangle who is actually behind the aliases. Here is how to start:

1. Search the phone number. If the scammer contacted you by phone, run a reverse phone lookup on ActualPeopleSearch. Even if the number was a burner or VoIP line, it may still be linked to a name or address in public records.
2. Search the name or email. If you have a name — even one you suspect is fake — a people search can surface associated addresses, relatives, and additional phone numbers that help confirm or rule out an identity.
3. Check business filings. If the scammer claimed to represent a company, look up the business name in your state's Secretary of State database. Corporation and LLC filings list registered agents, officers, and addresses.
4. Search court records. Check your county or state court records portal for civil and criminal cases involving the name or business. Repeat offenders often have a paper trail. Our guide on how to find court records can help.
5. Look up property records. If you have an address, property records can confirm who actually owns or resides at that location. This is useful when a scammer gave you a physical address.

Keep in mind that people search tools like ActualPeopleSearch aggregate publicly available data for personal, informational use. They are not a substitute for a formal investigation by law enforcement, and they should never be used to confront or threaten anyone.

Report the fraud to the right agencies

Filing official reports creates a documented trail and puts your case in front of people who can actually subpoena records, freeze accounts, and pursue charges.

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC does not resolve individual cases but shares your report with a nationwide law enforcement network.
• FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If the fraud happened online, file at ic3.gov. IC3 is especially important for wire fraud, business email compromise, and cryptocurrency scams.
• Your local police department: File a police report in person or online. You will need this report number for insurance claims and bank disputes.
• Your state attorney general: Most state AG offices have a consumer protection division that investigates fraud patterns.
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): If a financial institution failed to protect you, a CFPB complaint can prompt action.

File with every relevant agency — not just one. The more reports that exist, the higher priority the case receives.

Pursue financial recovery

Getting your money back depends on how you paid. Each payment method has a different recovery path:

1. Credit card: Contact your card issuer and initiate a chargeback. Federal law limits your liability on unauthorized charges, and most issuers have robust fraud departments.
2. Debit card or bank transfer: Call your bank immediately. The sooner you report, the better your chances under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Some banks can recall wire transfers if you act within hours.
3. Payment apps (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App): Report the fraud through the app and to your linked bank. Recovery is harder here, but not impossible.
4. Cryptocurrency: Report to IC3 and your exchange. Law enforcement has increasingly sophisticated blockchain tracing tools, especially for larger amounts.
5. Cash or gift cards: Unfortunately, these are nearly impossible to recover. Still file reports so law enforcement can build a case.

When to consider small claims court

If you have identified the scammer and they are within your state, small claims court is an affordable option for amounts typically under $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the state. You do not need a lawyer, and filing fees are usually modest. You will need the person's real name and a valid address for service of process — this is where the public records research you did earlier becomes essential.

Protect yourself from retaliation and repeat scams

Scammers who realize they are being investigated sometimes escalate. Take these precautions:

• Do not confront the scammer directly. Let law enforcement handle contact.
• Change passwords on any accounts the scammer may have accessed.
• Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
• Monitor your bank statements and credit reports weekly for at least six months.
• Be wary of recovery scams. Fraudsters sometimes circle back posing as a "recovery agent" who can get your money back for an upfront fee. Legitimate agencies do not charge victims to recover stolen funds.

Understand the legal boundaries

There is a clear line between researching a scammer through public records and crossing into territory that could create legal problems for you.

• Do use publicly available information to identify the person and support your reports.
• Do share your findings with law enforcement and your attorney.
• Do not publish the person's information online in an attempt to shame or expose them — this can expose you to defamation claims and may interfere with an active investigation.
• Do not use people search results for any purpose regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. People search tools aggregate publicly available data and are not governed by the FCRA — the information is for personal, informational use only.

Work with professionals when the stakes are high

For losses above a few thousand dollars, consider professional help:

• An attorney specializing in consumer fraud or civil litigation can advise on your recovery options and handle court filings.
• A licensed private investigator can conduct deeper skip tracing and asset searches that go beyond publicly available data.
• Victim advocacy organizations in your state often provide free guidance and emotional support throughout the process.

Keep the pressure on

Fraud recovery is rarely fast. Cases can take months, sometimes longer. Stay organized, follow up on your reports regularly, and keep adding evidence as you find it. Every piece of information you uncover — a new alias, a connected address, an additional victim — strengthens the case.

If you are just starting the process of identifying someone who scammed you, a quick search on ActualPeopleSearch using whatever details you have — a phone number, name, or address — can be a solid first step. From there, let the official reporting channels and, if needed, legal professionals carry the work forward. You deserve answers, and the tools to find them are more accessible than you might think.