How Do I Report a Scam to the Fbi?

The FBI is one of many agencies tasked with investigating crime and preventing crime. If you have been targeted by a scammer, you can make a report to the FBI regarding the type of scam, means of contact and if you suffered any loss or damages. Reports can be made online, over the phone or in person, and you can make your report anonymously if you do not want to provide your name.

With the digital world comes new ways for scammers to try to steal your money, your identity or other key pieces of information about your life. If you suspect you have been targeted by a scammer, you can make a report to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). How do you report a scam to the FBI? You can get more information by calling their hotline here, and you can learn more below about how to file a report.

How the FBI fights Scams

First, it is important to know the role the FBI plays in tracking and stopping scams. The FBI provides a number of educational resources on its website about how to protect yourself and your family from scammers, as well as the most common scams circulating. Scammers operate in a number of categories including: adoption scams, romance scams, charity and disaster fraud, holiday scams and identify theft, to name a few. The FBI not only tells individuals how to identify these scams, it provides steps you can take to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

How to Report a Scam to the FBI

If you find you have become a victim, or there has been an attempt to victimize you by a scammer, you can make a report to the FBI. Scam reports can be made online, via telephone or in person.

Online

If you wish to make your report online, you can do so by following these steps:

Open the FBI website in your browser.
Scroll to the bottom of the screen and select "Scams and Safety."
Move the screen down to "How to Report Crime and Fraud."
Select "Report Cyber Scams & Incidents." This will take you to a separate screen to file your report.
In the blue box that appears, click the red "File a Complaint" button.
Choose the type crime you are reporting from the three options provided.
Complete the form that appears and hit "Submit."

Via Telephone

You can also contact your local FBI field office via telephone to make a scam report. When you call, provide the individual with as much information about the scam as possible, such as an email address if you received a suspicious email, name of scam artist, type of scam (romance, adoption, disaster fund, or other) and if you are out any money or property due to the scam. You can also contact their central phone line here to make a report.

In Person

You can also go to the local FBI field office if you live near one and provide the same information you'd submit online or via telephone.

Once a report has been made, depending on the nature and the amount of loss, your report may result in an actual investigation or it may be used for intelligence gathering purposes only. For more information, you can contact the FBI here.

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