Reporting and Stopping Scams

Reporting internet scams is important to help prevent others from falling victim to similar scams and to help law enforcement agencies track down and prosecute scammers. Here's how to report internet scams:

1. Contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The IC3 is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center that accepts online crime complaints related to internet scams. You can file a complaint with the IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx.

2. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is a government agency that works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices. You can file a complaint with the FTC online at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ or by phone at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

3. Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB is a nonprofit organization that helps consumers find and recommend businesses they can trust. You can file a complaint with the BBB online at https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started or by contacting your local BBB office.

4. Contact your local law enforcement agency. If you believe you have been a victim of an internet scam, you should report it to your local law enforcement agency. They may be able to investigate the scam and help you recover any lost funds.

When reporting an internet scam, be sure to provide as much information as possible, including the name and contact information of the scammer, any emails or messages you received, and any financial transactions you made. By reporting internet scams, you can help protect yourself and others from falling victim to similar scams in the future.