How to Report a Scam to the Police
Yes, you can report a scam to the police. Here is when a police report helps, how to reach the police, and which other agencies take scam reports too.
Why reporting a scam to the police matters
Someone just took your money or your personal details. You want to do something about it. Reporting the scam to the police is one good step, and it is often not the only one. This guide covers when to involve the police, how to reach them, and which other agencies also take scam reports.
One thing first. The CFPB says a genuine agency or bank will never threaten you or tell you to move money somewhere safe. If the person who contacted you did either, that is a scam, and you should not send more money.
When to report a scam to the police
You can report a scam to the police any time you have been cheated out of money or had your identity misused. Experian's page says you may make a report of identity theft to your local police department.
Some situations make a police report more useful. Experian says a police report may be especially helpful if you have specific information that can aid a police investigation. It may also help if a creditor or other entity requires you to file one.
The CFPB says to use the nonemergency phone number or website.
How to contact your local police or sheriff's office
The CFPB says to reach your local police or sheriff's office through the nonemergency line or the official site.
Be careful how you search for it. The CFPB says to contact law enforcement, federal or state agencies, or financial institutions using trusted websites and phone numbers.
If the scam involved identity theft, you can read more in how to file a identity theft police report.
What makes a police report especially helpful
Experian says a report may be especially helpful when you have specific information that can aid a police investigation.
Other places to report a scam
The police are one piece of the reporting picture. Federal and state agencies take scam reports too.
The FTC. The CFPB says to report fraud or a scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC's guide says reports of scams help the FTC bring cases against the people behind them. Reports also teach the public and show what scams are going around near you. If someone pretended to be from the FTC itself, the FTC says to report that at ReportFraud.ftc.gov as well.
The FBI. The CFPB says to report fraud or a scam to the FBI Internet Crimes Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
Your state attorney general. The CFPB says to visit the National Association of Attorneys General website to find your state office.
You can report to more than one place. For a wider look at your options, see how can I report a scam.
Picking the agency that fits your scam
Not sure where your scam fits? USAGov's scams and fraud page says you can answer a few questions to learn which government agency can help with a scam. It also says you can answer a few questions to learn how to report a scam to the right place.
If the scam turned into someone using your personal details, the steps change.
What happens after you report a scam
A police report does not mean the money comes back. No agency promises that. The FTC can use reports to build cases and to share data about what is happening in your community.
Where to go next
If you just lost money, see what to do if u get scammed for the steps to take right away.