If you suspect financial fraud, phishing, or any online scam, act quickly. This guide walks you through securing accounts, documenting evidence, and reporting to authorities.
Act immediately: If you sent money recently, call your bank using the number on your card — not a number the scammer provided. Time matters for fraud claims. Read can you get money back after a scam for payment-specific recovery odds.
Beware recovery scams: Anyone who cold-calls promising to recover your funds for an upfront fee is likely scamming you again. See recovery room scam red flags.
Advance-fee or donation email? Do not pay. Read our advance-fee hub, employment guide, lottery guide, or government impersonation guide.
Official reporting: How to report a scam to the FTC (step-by-step).
Sent money via Zelle? Call your bank immediately using the number on your card. See our Zelle scam guide.
Secure your accounts and devices
Your immediate priority is to stop further financial loss and protect personal data.
- Contact your bank or card issuer and request a freeze or block on affected accounts.
- Change passwords on email, banking, and social accounts if you clicked a link or shared credentials.
- Enable two-factor authentication on critical accounts.
Document the scam
Gather evidence before deleting correspondence. This supports law enforcement and fraud claims.
- Screenshot messages, emails, profiles, and website URLs.
- Save receipts, wallet addresses, and bank transfer records.
- Note phone numbers, names, and credentials used by the scammer.
Report to authorities
Reporting helps track criminals and prevents others from falling victim.
- File a police report — often required by banks for fraud claims.
- Report to national agencies: FTC Report Fraud, FBI IC3.
- Report the account or listing on the platform where contact began.
Report on ScamReporting.org
Your experience helps warn others. Submit a scam report on our platform.
Be cautious of "recovery" offers
Watch for recovery-room scams — fraudsters who claim they can recover lost funds for an upfront fee. Legitimate agencies do not charge victims to investigate crimes.
Need emotional support? Being scammed can be traumatic. Contact local victim support organizations or helplines in your area.
Ready to file? Our team reviews submissions within 24–48 hours.