The FTC is the primary federal agency that handles consumer fraud and scam complaints in the United States. Reporting here helps law enforcement track and shut down scammers.

Report a Scam

ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a report about any type of scam or fraud. The process takes just a few minutes and creates an official record that’s shared with thousands of law enforcement agencies.

Report Identity Theft

IdentityTheft.gov
The government’s one-stop resource for identity theft. Answer questions about what happened and receive a personalized recovery plan with step-by-step instructions. Also generates an official FTC Identity Theft Report you can use with banks, creditors, and credit bureaus.

Do Not Call Registry

DoNotCall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222
Register your phone number to reduce telemarketing calls. While this won’t stop scammers who ignore the law, it makes it easier to know that an unexpected sales call is likely illegitimate.

Consumer Information

Consumer.ftc.gov
Articles and alerts about the latest scams, how to protect yourself, and what to do if something goes wrong. Updated regularly with new scam warnings.

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network provides free resources specifically designed to help older adults recognize and avoid scams. You do not need to be an AARP member to use these services.

Fraud Watch Network Homepage

aarp.org/money/scams-fraud
News about current scams, prevention tips, and real stories from people who’ve been targeted. A great resource to check regularly so you know what scams are going around.

Fraud Helpline

1-877-908-3360
A free helpline staffed by trained volunteers who can help you figure out if something is a scam and guide you on what to do next. Available to anyone — AARP membership is not required. Available Monday through Friday.

Scam-Tracking Map

aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tracking-map
See what scams are being reported in your area. Helpful for staying aware of local threats.

Watchdog Alerts

Sign up for Watchdog Alerts
Free email alerts about the latest scams. Delivered to your inbox so you’re always informed about new threats.

In addition to federal agencies, your state and local authorities can investigate fraud and help you recover. Reporting locally is important — it helps protect your neighbors and community.

Your State Attorney General

naag.org/find-my-ag
Find your state attorney general’s consumer protection office. Most accept complaints online or by phone. They investigate fraud, enforce consumer protection laws, and can sometimes take action against scammers operating in your state.

Local Police

File a report with your local police department, especially if you lost money or your identity was stolen. While local police may not be able to catch an overseas scammer, a police report:

• Creates an official record of the crime
• May be required by your bank, insurance company, or credit bureau
• Helps local law enforcement track fraud patterns in your area

Tip: Bring any evidence you have — emails, text messages, phone numbers, screenshots, receipts, and bank statements. Ask for a copy of the report and the report number.

Your Local Area Agency on Aging

eldercare.acl.gov or call 1-800-677-1116 (Eldercare Locator)
Connects you to local services for older adults, including help with fraud and financial exploitation. If you or someone you know is being taken advantage of financially — by a scammer or by someone you know — they can connect you with local support services.

Adult Protective Services (APS)

eldercare.acl.gov or call 1-800-677-1116
If an older adult is being financially exploited, neglected, or abused — including by a caregiver, family member, or someone in a position of trust — Adult Protective Services can investigate and intervene. Reports can be made anonymously.

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

IC3.gov
Report internet-based crime including online fraud, hacking, and identity theft. The FBI uses these reports to track cybercrime trends and build cases against criminal organizations.

Credit Bureau Contact Information

For fraud alerts, credit freezes, and credit report disputes:

• Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 | equifax.com
• Experian: 1-888-397-3742 | experian.com
• TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 | transunion.com

Free Credit Reports

AnnualCreditReport.com
The only official source for your free credit reports. You can check all three bureaus for free every week. This is important for catching identity theft early.

Social Security Administration

1-800-772-1213 | ssa.gov
Report Social Security number misuse, check your benefits statement, and manage your Social Security account. If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from Social Security, hang up and call this number directly.

Medicare

1-800-633-4227 | medicare.gov
Report suspected Medicare fraud, check claims, and manage your Medicare account. If someone contacts you asking for your Medicare number, it’s a scam — Medicare will never call and ask for it.