How to Report Scam Calls

Reporting scam calls helps authorities track and shut down fraud operations. Most people never report, which is why scammers persist. Here's exactly where and how to report.

Report to the FTC

The Federal Trade Commission is the primary federal agency handling consumer complaints about phone scams. Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include: the phone number that called you, the date and time, what the caller said, and whether you lost money. The FTC shares data with over 2,800 law enforcement agencies.

Report to the FCC

The Federal Communications Commission handles complaints about caller ID spoofing, robocalls, and telemarketing violations. File at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or call 1-888-225-5322. The FCC can fine violators and has imposed penalties exceeding $200 million on robocall operations.

Report to Your Phone Carrier

T-Mobile: Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM). Report scam calls in the Scam Shield app. AT&T: Forward suspicious calls/texts to 7726. Report in the ActiveArmor app. Verizon: Forward to 7726. Report in the Call Filter app. All carriers use these reports to update their scam databases.

Report to the Do Not Call Registry

If you're registered on the Do Not Call list and still receiving telemarketing calls, report violations at donotcall.gov/report.html.

Report to Local Law Enforcement

If you lost money to a phone scam, file a police report. This creates an official record that can help with insurance claims, bank disputes, and credit repair. Some local police departments have dedicated fraud units.

Report to the FBI (IC3)

For scams involving significant financial loss or organized criminal activity, file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. The IC3 handles both internet and phone-based fraud.

Why Reporting Matters

The FTC estimates that only 4-8% of scam victims report. When more people report, authorities can identify patterns, trace operations, and take legal action faster. Even if your individual report doesn't lead directly to an arrest, it contributes to the data that enables enforcement.