When we write information about fraud or identity theft on CNET, we usually recommend victims to contact the FTC or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center to share their experiences.
Even if you have not lost money or waived any personally identifiable information (such as your Social Security number) in conversations with cybercriminals, you should still report a scam. Only 38% of the fraud reports received by the FTC in 2024 involved currency losses. Fraud reports help the FTC and the FTC and the FBI inform and educate the public about the popular scams and assist local and federal authorities in arresting criminals.
If you do become a victim of a scam, you can take other steps, including signing up for identity theft protection, freezing your credit reports, or contacting your bank or credit card company to recover the stolen funds. But don’t forget to let the FTC and the FBI know. This is why.
Why do you report fraud?
You are a good Samaritan when you report fraud – you may help reduce the chances of scams hurting others.
The FTC and the FBI’s IC3 divisions study trends and use information provided by everyday Americans to update the popular scam carefully planned by cybercriminals. Some of the popular scams these agencies have warned of in recent months include toll road scams, fake USPS texts and criminals who imitate government agencies.
“The more information the FTC and IC3 receive, the more statistics they can and use, which can remind consumers,” said Chelsea Binns, a certified fraud examiner and associate professor at the Cuny John Jay School of Criminal Justice.
The FTC and IC3 also released annual reports using the complaints filed, detailing the trends from the previous year. Data are broken down by age, status, frequency of a particular crime and frequency of loss for each type of fraud.
Both agencies allow consumers to receive email alerts about popular scams throughout the year. To register for an FTC alert, click here. You can register for IC3 alerts here.
The FTC and IC3 are also working with law enforcement to help capture cybercriminals. When you submit a report to the FTC, add it to its Consumer Sentinel database, which has 2,800 federal, state and local law enforcement partners to access. The trained IC3 analysts similarly review and study complaints and pass information to the authorities.
“That’s how they can build cases through fraudsters,” Binns said.
How to report fraud to the FTC and the FBI?
You can report fraud-related scams to the FTC on Reportfraud.ftc.gov. Cyber-related crimes should also be reported to IC3 on IC3. These agencies received more than 3.4 million complaints last year.
Remember that after submitting the report, you are unlikely to hear it from the FTC or IC3 – although your complaint is used to confirm information or inform the trend. If someone pretends to be a government official to lend a helping hand with you and ask for money, provide you with prizes or threaten to arrest you, it is a scam.
If you are a victim of identity theft, i.e. a specific category of fraud, you can report the case to the FTC via IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. The FTC will clarify the steps to restore identity based on the information you provide.
Each of these steps, such as calling the payee and contacting the bank fraud department, can be time consuming and can cost you money, especially if you have an attorney to handle it for you. If you have an identity theft protection service with a white glove repair service, you can complete this list for you.
Can I get my money back after the fall scam?
Usually, unauthorized debit and credit card purchases are more likely to reverse. If you send money to the scam yourself (such as in a gold bar scam), it is even more difficult to get back the money. You should contact your bank as soon as possible so that they are expected to cancel the transaction. In cases where cryptocurrencies are involved, payments are almost irreversible.
Depending on the type of fraud you endure, you need to take basic steps such as changing your password, signing up for two-factor authentication and turning on alerts to making purchases for your credit and debit cards. You should also consider deleting saved payment information from the website, Binns said.
During the weeks and months of becoming a victim of fraud, you must be wary of any stranger you contacted who promises to get your money back.
“What will happen is that the original fraudster will become an organization or service, which will help you recover the lost funds,” she said. “In turn, it’s just another scam.”
