Published
August 11, 2026
An FTC report is a signal to investigators, not a customer-service ticket. It helps law enforcement connect similar complaints, but you still need to pursue refunds, disputes and account recovery through the organizations that can act on your individual loss.
Use the right FTC reporting site
Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov for scams, fraud and bad business practices. Use IdentityTheft.gov when someone has used your personal information to open accounts, make transactions, file records or otherwise impersonate you. IdentityTheft.gov creates a recovery plan tailored to the type of identity theft.You may need both. For example, a scam can be reported through ReportFraud, while identity theft caused by the same scam may require the recovery plan and account-specific disputes.
Gather the useful facts before you start
- the business, website, app or person involved;
- what was promised and what happened;
- the dates and amounts;
- how payment was requested or made;
- the communication method and account names used;
- screenshots, receipts, ads, contracts and cancellation records; and
- steps already taken with the merchant, bank, card issuer or platform.
Write a short timeline so the report remains clear. Do not upload unrelated sensitive documents or include passwords, verification codes or complete account credentials in the narrative.
How to submit the report
- Go directly to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and choose the category that best matches the event.
- Answer the questions about how the contact, payment and loss occurred.
- Identify the business or person when known and describe the events in your own words.
- Provide as much or as little contact information as you choose, understanding that contact details can help if more information is needed.
- Submit the report, save the report number and keep the next-step guidance.
You can report an attempted scam even when you did not lose money. A pattern of similar reports can reveal a campaign that would not be visible from one event.
What happens after an FTC complaint?
The report goes into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure database available to authorized federal, state and local law-enforcement users. Investigators use reports to identify trends, targets and evidence that may support enforcement.The FTC generally does not intervene in individual consumer disputes and does not promise a personal response, refund or investigation. That does not make the report pointless: multiple reports can help reveal the scale and method of a deceptive practice, and a specific report can provide information useful to a broader case.
Save the report number. It proves what you reported and when, and it may be useful when communicating with a payment provider, state agency or other investigator.
Take recovery steps separately
Do not wait for the FTC to recover money or secure an account. Contact the payment provider immediately about a fraudulent card charge, transfer, gift-card payment or other payment method. Ask whether the transaction can be reversed or intercepted. Secure any password, device, email account or phone number the scammer accessed.For card transactions, follow the issuer's deadlines in OCA's charge-dispute guide. For identity misuse, use the identity-theft recovery checklist.
When another complaint channel may help
A product or service complaint can also belong with the company, a state attorney general, a sector regulator or a safety agency. Start with the company when it is safe and practical, state the requested resolution and keep the response. Then use the agency that has authority over the conduct.OCA's state attorney general complaint directory provides official links. Product hazards may belong with the CPSC, vehicle safety with NHTSA, food safety with FDA or USDA, and financial-product complaints with the appropriate financial regulator.
Submitting the same concise facts to the correct agencies is more useful than sending a vague complaint everywhere.
Avoid fake FTC follow-up scams
Scammers impersonate government agencies. The FTC says it will not demand money, threaten you, require a transfer to “protect” funds or promise a prize. Do not trust a caller merely because the caller knows your report details or personal information.Verify any follow-up through an official government website you navigate to independently. Never provide a verification code, remote access or payment because someone claims it is required to release an FTC refund.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I file an FTC complaint?
Use ReportFraud.ftc.gov for scams, fraud and bad business practices. Use IdentityTheft.gov when someone has used your personal information and you need an identity-theft recovery plan.
Will the FTC resolve my individual complaint?
Generally no. The FTC stores reports in Consumer Sentinel and uses them with law-enforcement partners to spot patterns and build cases, but it generally does not intervene in individual disputes.
Can I report a scam if I did not lose money?
Yes. Reports about attempted scams can still help investigators identify methods, targets and trends.
What should I save after filing an FTC report?
Save the report number, submitted timeline, evidence and the next-step guidance. Keep separate records of merchant, bank, platform and agency contacts.
Does an FTC report replace a bank or card dispute?
No. Contact the payment provider promptly and follow its dispute or recovery process. An FTC report supports broader enforcement but does not stop payment deadlines.
Sources
• FTC — ReportFraud• FTC — How To Report Fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• FTC — Consumer Sentinel Network
• FTC — What To Do If You Were Scammed
• USAGov — File a Complaint About Products or Services
About This Page
OpenClassActions.com is a consumer information site, not a law firm or government agency. This page provides general educational information and is not legal or financial advice. Reporting and recovery channels vary by facts and industry; use official agency sites and seek qualified help for individual rights or losses.
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