How to report a scam in the United States
- Report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov - the main US route.
- Lost money online or in crypto? Also file with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.
- To try to get money back, contact your bank or card issuer now - that is separate from reporting. See what to do if you've been scammed.
Where to report
Can you get your money back?
Recovery depends on how you paid, and speed is everything. Reporting to the FTC will not return funds - that comes from the institution that moved the money.
Credit or debit card: contact your issuer and dispute the charge. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, credit card billing errors must be disputed in writing within 60 days, and the issuer must resolve it within two billing cycles.2 Bank transfer or wire: call your bank's fraud line immediately - a wire can sometimes be recalled before it settles. Gift card: call the card company, report the scam, and ask them to freeze the balance. Cryptocurrency: usually irreversible, but report the wallet to the exchange and IC3 quickly. The full breakdown by payment method is in what to do if you've been scammed.
What happens after you report
You will get a confirmation and a reference number. The FTC does not investigate individual reports or send case updates - it aggregates them to build cases against larger operations - so do not wait on a reply before acting with your bank. IdentityTheft.gov is the exception: it generates documents and a recovery checklist you can use immediately. Keep your reference numbers for any bank or insurance claim.
The scale in the US
Be alert to a follow-up approach after any loss: anyone promising to recover your money for an upfront fee is running the money recovery scam. No US agency charges to get your money back.
Frequently asked questions
- Where do I report a scam in the US?
- Report to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you lost money online or in cryptocurrency, also file with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. If you shared personal information, use IdentityTheft.gov. And contact the bank or card company that moved the money directly.
- Does the FTC get my money back?
- No. The FTC collects reports to investigate and stop fraud, but it does not return money to individuals or act as your lawyer. To try to recover funds, contact your bank or card issuer right away. Credit card charges can often be disputed under the Fair Credit Billing Act within 60 days.
- Should I report to the FBI or the FTC?
- Both, if money was lost online. The FTC's ReportFraud.ftc.gov is the general front door for any scam. The FBI's IC3 specialises in internet crime and is especially important for cryptocurrency and large online losses. Filing with both does no harm and helps different investigators.
- Federal Trade Commission, "New FTC Data Show a Big Jump in Reported Losses to Fraud to $12.5 Billion in 2024," March 2025. 2024 US loss total and the investment-scam figure.
- Federal Trade Commission, "Using Credit Cards and Disputing Charges." Fair Credit Billing Act 60-day dispute window and resolution timeline.
We compile official reporting routes from government agencies and law enforcement. This page is general guidance, not legal advice. Read about how we research or who we are.