Your voice can protect others. Knowing where to report fraud makes all the difference. Here is a curated list of key reporting channels across the United States:
General Consumer Fraud & Identity Theft
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Main Website: https://www.ftc.gov/
- Report Fraud: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
- Report Identity Theft: https://www.identitytheft.gov/
- National Do Not Call Registry: https://www.donotcall.gov/
- Phone Support: 1-877-FTC-HELP or 1-877-ID-THEFT
Why report? The FTC uses reports to track patterns and take legal action to protect the public.
Consumer Financial Fraud
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
- Website: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/
- Submit a Complaint: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
- Education & Tools: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/
General Criminal Fraud
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Website: https://www.fbi.gov/
- Submit a Tip: https://tips.fbi.gov/home
Internet Crime (Phishing, Lottery Scams, etc.)
- IC3 Internet Crime Complaint Center: https://complaint.ic3.gov/
Disaster-Related Fraud
National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF)
- Report Form: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form
- Phone: 1-866-720-5721 | Fax: (225) 334-4707
Health Care, Medicare & Medicaid Fraud
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services – Office of Inspector General
- Report Fraud: https://tips.oig.hhs.gov/
- Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS
Mail Fraud / Sweepstakes Scams
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
- Website: https://www.uspis.gov/report
- Phone: 1-800-372-8347
Securities & Investment Fraud
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- Submit a Tip: https://www.sec.gov/submit-tip-or-complaint
- Website: https://www.sec.gov/
- Phone: 1-800-SEC-0330
Local & State Fraud
State Attorney General’s Office & Local Law Enforcement
- Find your state AG: Search “[Your State] Attorney General” online
- Report fraud to your local police department
Freeze Your Credit:
Visit all three of the credit bureaus’ websites to freeze your credit with each.
- Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services
- Experian: https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/
- TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze
Your report matters. Even if you are unsure whether it is fraud, reporting can interrupt a pattern before someone else is harmed.
Fraud loses power when it is named and shared.
If you have a fraud story to share, email tips@thetruthaboutthefword.com.