Where to report a scam depends on what happened and who took your money

If you have been scammed online, you have three main routes: report to the platform where it happened, report to a government agency that tracks scams, or report to your bank or payment service. The fastest path depends on whether money actually left your account. If you caught the scam before paying, report it to the platform. If money moved, contact your bank first — they can sometimes reverse the transaction — then file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which collects data on scams and shares patterns with law enforcement.

The FTC does not investigate individual cases or recover your money, but your report becomes part of a database that helps identify scammers targeting many people at once. Local police rarely pursue online scams unless the amount is very large, but filing a report with them creates a paper trail if you need it for insurance or credit disputes later.

Key Takeaways

  • Report to the platform first if the scam happened on Facebook, Amazon, a dating app, or another website — they can remove the scammer's account and warn other users.
  • Contact your bank or payment service (PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, etc.) when ready if money left your account, because some transactions can be reversed within hours.
  • File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, which takes 10 minutes and creates a record that helps law enforcement spot patterns across many victims.
  • If you gave a scammer your Social Security number, password, or banking details, contact the credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to place a fraud alert on your credit file.
  • Keep screenshots of all messages, listings, or profiles involved — platforms and agencies need this evidence to act.

Report to the platform where the scam happened

Every major website and app has a built-in way to report scams, fake accounts, and fraud. On Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, look for a three-dot menu on the scammer's profile or message thread and select "Report." On Amazon, go to "Your Account," find the order or message, and choose "Report Problem." On dating apps like Match or Bumble, report the profile directly through the app's safety or report feature.

When you report, be specific: describe what the scammer claimed to be (a romantic interest, a seller, a tech support agent), what they asked for, and when the contact happened. Include screenshots of messages if the platform allows you to attach them. The platform's safety team uses these reports to remove fake accounts, which stops the scammer from targeting others under the same identity. This does not recover your money, but it prevents the same person from running the same scam on someone else tomorrow.

Some platforms have dedicated fraud teams that respond within days. Others take weeks. If you do not hear back and the scammer is still active, report again or escalate through the platform's help center — many have a "Report Abuse" or "Safety" section separate from individual account reports.

Contact your bank or payment service when ready if money moved

If you sent money through your bank account, credit card, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, or another payment service, contact them before you do anything else. Call the number on the back of your card or in your app — do not use a number from a search result, because scammers sometimes create fake customer service pages. Tell them you were scammed and ask whether the transaction can be reversed.

Banks can sometimes reverse wire transfers or ACH transfers (the electronic transfers that move money between accounts) if you report them within a few hours. Credit card companies often reverse charges within a few days if you report them as fraudulent. PayPal and Venmo have their own dispute processes — open the app, find the transaction, and select "Report a Problem" or "Dispute This Transaction." The sooner you report, the better your chances of getting the money back.

Your bank will ask for details: the scammer's name or account number if you have it, the date and amount, and what you thought you were paying for. Have your screenshots ready. The bank will open an investigation, which usually takes 10 to 30 days. During that time, the money may be frozen while they determine whether to return it to you.

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission

The FTC's scam reporting system at reportfraud.ftc.gov collects information from millions of victims. You do not need to have lost money to report — you can report a scam you recognized before paying. The form takes about 10 minutes and asks for details about what happened, how much money was involved (if any), and how the scammer contacted you.

After you submit, the FTC sends you a recovery guide specific to your type of scam. If you lost money, the guide explains what steps to take next, such as placing a fraud alert with credit bureaus or filing a police report. The FTC itself does not investigate individual cases or pursue scammers, but it shares patterns from thousands of reports with the FBI, Secret Service, and state attorneys general. If many people report the same scammer or the same scam method, law enforcement may open an investigation.

You can also report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, which is run jointly by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. IC3 focuses on larger fraud cases and cybercrime. For most everyday scams, the FTC is the right choice.

Report to local police if a large amount of money is involved

Local police departments rarely investigate online scams under a few hundred dollars because the scammer is usually in another state or country and the case is difficult to prosecute. However, if you lost a significant amount — typically $1,000 or more — file a report with your local police department. You can do this in person, by phone, or online through your city or county's police website.

When you file, bring or upload screenshots of all messages, the scammer's account information, and proof of payment. Ask for a case number and a copy of the report. You will not need this for the FTC or your bank, but you may need it later if you file an insurance claim or if the scammer's identity is discovered and you want to pursue civil action.

Some police departments have a dedicated fraud unit or cybercrime task force. If your local department does not investigate, ask whether they can refer you to the state attorney general's office, which sometimes handles larger scam cases.

Protect your identity if the scammer has your personal information

If you gave the scammer your Social Security number, driver's license number, banking details, or password, take steps to protect your credit and accounts. Contact the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and ask to place a fraud alert on your credit file. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can place one for free by calling any of the three bureaus; they will notify the others automatically.

If the scammer has your password, change it when ready on any account where you used the same password. If they have your email address and password, change your email password first, because your email is the key to resetting passwords on other accounts. Enable two-factor authentication (a second verification step, usually a code sent to your phone) on your email, banking, and social media accounts.

Consider placing a credit freeze if you are concerned about identity theft. A credit freeze prevents anyone, including you, from opening new accounts in your name without unfreezing it first. It is free and takes about 15 minutes per bureau. You can freeze and unfreeze online at each bureau's website.

Keep records and watch for follow-up scams

Save all screenshots, emails, and messages related to the scam. Create a folder on your computer or phone labeled with the scammer's name or the date, and store everything there. If you need to dispute a charge with your bank or provide evidence to law enforcement, you will have it ready.

Scammers sometimes target people who have already been scammed, knowing they may be more desperate or more trusting. Be cautious of unsolicited messages offering to help you recover your money — these are usually recovery scams, where a new scammer charges you a fee to "investigate" or "retrieve" your lost funds. Legitimate recovery is handled by your bank or law enforcement, not by someone who contacts you first.

Monitor your credit report for signs of identity theft. You can check your credit report for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com. If you see accounts you did not open or inquiries from lenders you did not contact, dispute them with the credit bureau when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my money back after being scammed?

It depends on how you paid. Credit card companies often reverse fraudulent charges within 30 days. Banks can sometimes reverse wire transfers if you report within hours. PayPal and Venmo have dispute processes. If the scammer cashed out or moved the money quickly, recovery is unlikely. Your bank will tell you whether reversal is possible when you call.

What if the scammer is in another country?

Report to the FTC and your bank anyway. If the scammer is overseas, local police cannot prosecute, but the FTC shares international scam patterns with Interpol and other agencies. Your bank may still reverse the transaction. Reporting creates a record that helps identify organized scam rings operating across borders.

Do I have to report to the police to get my money back?

No. Your bank and credit card company do not require a police report to investigate. However, a police report creates a paper trail useful for insurance claims or if you later discover identity theft. For most scams, reporting to the FTC and your bank is enough.

What should I say when I report the scam?

Be factual and specific: what the scammer claimed to be, exactly what they asked for, how you paid, the date, and the amount. Include the scammer's username, email, or phone number if you have it. Avoid opinions — stick to what happened. Platforms and agencies need concrete details to act.

Can I report a scam I almost fell for but did not pay?

Yes. Report it to the platform where it happened and to the FTC. Even though no money moved, your report helps identify scammers and warn others. The FTC uses these reports to spot patterns and alert the public about new scam methods.