How to report a scam safely
Reporting helps protect you and others, and it creates a record you may need for disputes. This guide shows what to gather, who to report to, and how to do it without exposing yourself further - and why you should never use contact details from the scam message itself.
Quick answer
Reporting helps protect you and others, and it creates a record you may need for disputes. This guide shows what to gather, who to report to, and how to do it without exposing yourself further - and why you should never use contact details from the scam message itself.
- Collect screenshots and details before deleting anything.
- Find the official reporting channel for your country.
- Avoid using any phone number or link from the scam itself.
Do this now
- Gather evidence first: screenshots, dates, amounts, and references.
- Report to your national fraud/cybercrime body (find official links in the directory).
- If money moved, report to your bank as well.
Understanding what happened
Reporting does two things: it may unlock help (a bank can act, an authority can investigate), and it protects others by feeding pattern-spotting that gets scams shut down. Even when you can't recover a loss, the report still has value - and it creates a record you may need later.
Report to the right place for the harm done: your bank or payment provider if money moved, and your national fraud or cybercrime body for the scam itself. Many messaging and email platforms also let you report the message so the sender can be actioned.
Do it safely by using official channels you find yourself - never a phone number or link from the scam message, which can lead straight back to the scammers. Gather your evidence first so the report is quick and complete.
Share only what the report asks for; you don't need to over-disclose personal data to file one. Keep the reference number, and be ready for follow-up requests from genuine investigators - while ignoring anyone who contacts you offering paid 'recovery'.
First 5 minutes
- Collect screenshots and details before deleting anything.
- Find the official reporting channel for your country.
- Avoid using any phone number or link from the scam itself.
First 24 hours
- Submit your report and note the reference number.
- Report to your bank if money or banking details were involved.
- Report the message to your messaging/email provider too.
Next 7 days
- Keep your evidence and references in one place.
- Follow up if you're asked for more information.
- Warn friends or family who might be targeted similarly.
What not to do
- Do not contact the scammer to 'confront' them.
- Do not use phone numbers or links from the scam message.
- Do not share more personal data than the report requires.
Evidence to save
- Screenshots of messages and any payment proof.
- Dates, times, amounts, and account/reference numbers.
- The channel the scam arrived on.
How to report
- Gather your evidence first (screenshots, dates, amounts, any reference numbers).
- Report to your national fraud/cybercrime body and, if money moved, to your bank.
- Find the right official links for your country in the reporting directory.
Find official reporting links for your country in the reporting directory.
- Do not use phone numbers or links from the suspicious message - look up the official ones yourself.
- Report quickly if money was sent or ID documents were shared; speed improves your options.
- Keep your evidence - see how to save scam evidence.
Beware 'recovery' offers afterwards: anyone who contacts you promising to get your money back for an upfront fee is running a second scam.
Stop it happening again
Bookmark your national fraud/cybercrime reporting page so you can find it quickly and safely.
Share only the information the report asks for; you don't need to hand over extra personal data.
Related red flags
Related terms
This is general safety information, not legal, financial, or cybersecurity incident-response advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth reporting small scams?
Yes. Reports help authorities spot patterns and protect others, and they create a record you may need for disputes.
Will reporting expose my data?
Use official channels and share only what the report asks. Never report via links or numbers from the scam message.