- USA.gov has a where-to-report-a-scam tool that asks where the scam took place and its category, then names the agency, in about one to two minutes.
- The FTC says to report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; USCIS says to report immigration scams to the FTC at 877-FTC-HELP.
- The FBI's IC3 describes itself as the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime.
- The SSA Office of the Inspector General takes reports of Social Security fraud at oig.ssa.gov.
Which agency for which problem
| What happened | Report to | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ad or site selling a license, ID or other document | FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov); FBI IC3 if online | Consumer fraud and cyber-enabled crime |
| Text or email claiming to be a DMV | FTC and IC3; your state DMV | IC3 asks for the sender's number and the website. Georgia's DDS and Illinois's DOT both point to the FTC and IC3. |
| Your identity was used or exposed | IdentityTheft.gov (1-877-438-4338) | USA.gov names it as the place to report and get a recovery plan |
| Social Security scam call, site or card sale | SSA Office of the Inspector General (oig.ssa.gov); FTC | The OIG says scammers pretend to be from SSA and the OIG |
| Passport lost or stolen | State Department (Form DS-64, 1-877-487-2778) | It invalidates the passport (USA.gov) |
| Notario or immigration-service fraud | State attorney general or consumer protection office; FTC (877-FTC-HELP) | States such as California and Connecticut take these complaints |
| CDL bribery, fake test results | State licensing agency; U.S. DOT Office of Inspector General | The DOT OIG took part in the California cases |
| Fake nursing credential | State board of nursing; FBI IC3 | Boards issue and discipline licenses; the FBI investigated Operation Nightingale |
What to put in a report
- The phone number, email or social account that contacted you, and the website address (the IC3 specifically asks for these).
- Dates, amounts and how you paid, with receipts or screenshots.
- What you sent: photos of ID, numbers, documents.
- The ad or platform where you saw the offer, if any.
Do not put full ID numbers into any form that does not require them. If you are worried you gave a scammer too much, see what to do now.
Which agency answers what
FTC. It collects fraud reports and publishes advice. Its guide on avoiding scams names four signs: scammers pretend to be an organization you know, claim a problem or a prize, pressure you to act at once, and tell you to pay in a specific way. It also says the FTC will never threaten you or tell you to move money to protect it.
FBI IC3. Intake for cyber-enabled crime, run by the FBI. Its homepage warns that scammers impersonate the IC3 and says IC3 will never directly contact you for information or money.
State attorneys general and consumer offices. They handle local business and immigration-service fraud. Connecticut's department gives its consumer protection number on its notario page, and California's Attorney General issued a consumer alert on notario fraud in June 2025. Find yours through USA.gov.
Agencies that issue the document. State DMVs publish scam pages (California's, Georgia's); the State Department takes lost-passport reports; the SSA OIG covers Social Security.
What happens next
Reports feed investigations and warnings; none of these agencies promises to resolve an individual complaint, and none will ask you to pay to follow up. A message that says it is from an agency and asks for a fee to progress your report is an impersonation. If you are unsure whether it is a scam or a dispute with a real business, USA.gov's complaints section explains how to complain to the company first.
You can also tell us about a scam page or advert through the contact page; we do not investigate or recover money.
Reporting about a business you paid
If the issue is with a legitimate business that wronged you, it may not be a scam, and USA.gov points such cases to its complaints section. If you paid with a card and the business was real but the service poor, your card issuer's dispute process is the first step. If the business was a fake seller, report it as above.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I report a scam in the United States?
To the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and if it happened online to the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov. USA.gov's where-to-report tool names the right agency for a specific scam. The tool takes one to two minutes and ends with a named agency for the type of scam you describe.
Where do I report identity theft?
At IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338, according to USA.gov. It gives a step-by-step recovery plan. Also ask the credit bureaus to place a fraud alert and credit freeze. USA.gov lists IdentityTheft.gov as the place to report and get a recovery plan, and it suggests contacting credit bureaus too.
Where do I report a fake DMV text?
To the FTC and the FBI's IC3. Include the sender's phone number and the website in the text. Your state DMV may also want it; Georgia's DDS and California's DMV publish scam pages. Georgia's DDS and Illinois's DOT point to the FTC and the IC3, so a single report to both covers the common case.
Who do I tell about notario fraud?
Your state attorney general or consumer protection office and the FTC at 877-FTC-HELP. A licensed attorney or accredited representative can advise on any forms already filed. If a licensed attorney or accredited representative is not yet involved, ask one to review what was filed in your name.
Will reporting get my money back?
Not by itself. Contact your bank first. Reports to the FTC and IC3 support investigations, but neither promises a recovery. Call your bank first for money, because the issuers' dispute windows are short and the agencies cannot reverse a payment.