Stop Playing Victim – REPORT It!

Reporting scams to the FBI and FTC not only helps victims but creates a protective shield for the entire American community through shared intelligence.

At a Glance

  • The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and FTC collect crucial data that helps identify and combat new scam trends
  • Reporting scams is valuable even when no money is lost – 62% of FTC fraud reports in 2024 involved no monetary losses
  • Common scams include phishing, cryptocurrency fraud, charity scams, and tech support schemes that often target seniors
  • Victims should file reports at reportfraud.ftc.gov or ic3.gov and take immediate protective steps like changing passwords
  • Be wary of “recovery scams” that falsely promise to help victims get their money back

Why Your Fraud Report Matters to National Security

The digital age has created unprecedented opportunities for criminals to target Americans from anywhere in the world. Every time you report a scam to federal authorities, you’re not just documenting your experience – you’re contributing vital intelligence that helps protect your neighbors, family members, and fellow citizens. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Trade Commission rely on these reports to identify emerging threats, track criminal networks, and develop effective countermeasures against increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.

The FBI maintains an extensive database of common frauds and scams through its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which serves as the nation’s central clearinghouse for cybercrime reports. These include widespread threats like phishing attempts, cryptocurrency investment frauds, fake charity solicitations claiming to help disaster victims, and technical support scams that disproportionately target elderly Americans. By aggregating thousands of individual reports, authorities can identify patterns that might otherwise remain hidden.

Your Report Counts Even Without Financial Loss

Many Americans mistakenly believe there’s no point in filing a report if they didn’t lose money to a scam attempt. This couldn’t be further from the truth. According to recent FTC data, only 38% of fraud reports in 2024 involved actual monetary losses. The remaining 62% – cases where vigilant citizens recognized and avoided scams – provide equally valuable information to investigators. These “near miss” reports help authorities understand how criminals are approaching potential victims and which tactics they’re employing.

When you report a suspicious email, text message, phone call, or website, you’re helping federal agencies build comprehensive profiles of criminal operations. This information directly informs public awareness campaigns that protect vulnerable populations. The FTC and IC3 regularly publish updates about trending scams, allowing Americans to stay one step ahead of criminals. You can sign up for email alerts about popular scams directly from these agencies to stay informed about emerging threats.

How to Report Scams and Protect Yourself

Filing a report is straightforward and takes just minutes. For general scams and fraud attempts, visit reportfraud.ftc.gov or ic3.gov. If your personal information has been compromised through identity theft, report at identitytheft.gov or call the dedicated identity theft hotline at 1-877-438-4338. These reports feed directly into databases that law enforcement agencies use to identify, track, and ultimately prosecute cybercriminals.

After reporting, take immediate steps to protect yourself. Change passwords on all potentially affected accounts and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. Monitor your credit card and bank statements vigilantly for unauthorized charges. If you’ve made payments to scammers, contact your financial institution immediately – unauthorized credit card charges can often be reversed, though cryptocurrency payments are typically irreversible due to their decentralized nature.

Be especially cautious of “recovery scams” targeting victims. These secondary scams prey on desperation by falsely promising to recover lost funds for an upfront fee. Legitimate recovery options never require payment in advance. The FBI and FTC will never charge victims for investigating crimes or recovering funds, so any such request should be considered highly suspicious and immediately reported.

The collective intelligence gathered through citizen reports represents one of America’s strongest defenses against financial fraud. Every report contributes to a nationwide system that protects our communities, catches criminals, and helps prevent others from becoming victims. By taking a few minutes to document scam attempts, you’re performing a valuable public service that strengthens our national security and protects your fellow citizens from harm.

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