If something feels wrong, you’re not overreacting. Reporting a scam helps protect you, and it helps protect the next person too. Here’s where to go, country by country.
First: if you’ve lost money or shared bank details
Before anything else:
- Call your bank or card company now. Use the number on the back of your card or on a statement, not one from a text, email or caller. Tell them you’ve been scammed and ask them to stop or recall the payment.
- Change any password you gave away, starting with your email and bank. Type the website address yourself or use the official app.
- Write down what happened while it’s fresh: dates, times, phone numbers, website addresses, amounts and how you paid. Take screenshots if you can.
Then report it using the places below.
Safety tip
Never pay anyone who promises to get your money back. “Recovery” scams target people who have just been scammed. Government agencies and police never charge a fee.
United States
| Where | What it’s for | How |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Trade Commission (FTC) | Any scam, fraud or bad business practice | ReportFraud.ftc.gov |
| FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center | Scams that happened online, by email or through apps | ic3.gov |
| AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline | Free advice and support from trained volunteers. You don’t need to be an AARP member | 877‑908‑3360, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm Eastern |
| National Elder Fraud Hotline (US Department of Justice) | Help for people aged 60 and over who have lost money | 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1‑833‑372‑8311) |
| Your local police | Especially if you handed over cash, gold or cards in person | Non-emergency number |
| Scam texts | Help your phone company block the sender | Forward the text to 7726 (spells SPAM) |
If someone stole your identity, such as your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan.
United Kingdom
| Where | What it’s for | How |
|---|---|---|
| Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) | Reporting fraud and cyber crime. It replaced Action Fraud | reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 |
| Police Scotland | Reporting fraud in Scotland | Call 101 |
| Scam texts | Help your mobile network block the sender | Forward the text to 7726 (free) |
| Scam emails | The National Cyber Security Centre can take down scam websites | Forward to [email protected] |
| Your bank | If you get a suspicious call “from your bank” | Hang up and call 159 to reach your bank safely |
Australia
| Where | What it’s for | How |
|---|---|---|
| Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre) | Reporting any scam, so others can be warned | Online at scamwatch.gov.au |
| ReportCyber | Scams and crimes that happened online, including hacked accounts | cyber.gov.au or the Australian Cyber Security Hotline, 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371) |
| IDCARE | Free help if your identity documents or personal details were stolen | 1800 595 160 |
| Your bank | If you’ve paid money or shared card details | The number on your card |
Canada
| Where | What it’s for | How |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre | Reporting fraud and scams | 1‑888‑495‑8501 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4:45pm Eastern) or online at reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca |
| Your local police | If you’ve lost money or been threatened | Non-emergency number |
| Scam texts | Help your mobile provider block the sender | Forward the text to 7726 |
Why reporting matters
Scammers rely on people feeling too embarrassed to tell anyone. Every report helps agencies spot new scams faster, warn others and build cases against the criminals. You’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Try this
Print this page and keep it with your important numbers. Our free Scam-Stopper Kit also includes a trusted-numbers sheet to fill in and keep by the phone.
Phone numbers and opening hours can change. If a number on this page doesn’t work, check the agency’s website, and please let us know so we can update it.