How to Report a Scam

How to Report a Fraud or Scam In Countries Outside of the United States

If you have observed a scam or been the victim of a scam, spam or fraud and want to report it for enforcement, here is a list of where to report different types of scams in the US, UK, Canada and many other countries. In some cases there is more than one agency to contact.  Some scams fit into more than one category, also.

Of course, in all cases, you can start by reporting it to us, using this form. We will use the information to warn other consumers and help you to direct it to law enforcement agencies.

But to protect your finances, identity and in some cases, identity, you will generally also want to report the scam directly to another specific agency - see further down this page for specific directions.

Be sure to contact your bank or credit card company if you have given out credit card numbers, bank account information, etc.

And we will track and post more examples, so once again, please forward a copy to us - see the email address at the top of this page or cut and paste the email into our feedback form!

How to report different types of scams:

Reporting Spams and Scams in Other Countries


Reporting to Email account providers

You can report spams and scams that are coming from specific email accounts to the providers. For example, if a scammer is using a Hotmail account to send scams or spams or receive replies, you can report it to Hotmail.  Be sure to forward the email and copy it's headers (click here to see how) into the email you send to the provider . That helps them to trace the source. See this page for the reporting addresses for the major email account providers.

Scams: AFF - Nigerian, Lottery scams, Money Transfer Frauds, Lawyers with deceased clients, etc.

Businesses: Complaints with businesses with fixed addresses

  • Complaints with any US or Canadian business: Better Business Bureau - Contact the Better Business Bureau where the company is located.

Crimes

Phishing and Spoofed websites

Medical Frauds, Illegal Drug Sales and Spam

Miscellaneous scams and frauds

Postal scams (actual letters in your mailbox / mail slot / letterbox / postbox)

Scams: Internet Scams

Search engine scam / spam results

Securities and Stocks

Spam

Stolen checks

  • If you have checks stolen, you will obviously need to quickly notify the police and obtain a copy of the police report.  You must also promptly notify your bank, and not only void those check numbers, but also close your account and open a new account.  The reason for this is your account numbers can used by the criminals to create counterfeit checks, like the ones sent to people in lottery scams.  (see this page as an example of what can happen). Also notify the check verification agencies yourself. Here is a list of these agencies:
    • National Check Fraud Service: 1-843-571-2143
    • SCAN: 1-800-262-7771
    • TeleCheck: 1-800-710-9898 or 927-0188 (also see this page for more information)
    • CrossCheck: 1-707-586-0551 or (800) 552-1900
    • Equifax Check Systems: 1-800-437-5120
    • International Check Services: 1-800-526-5380
    • CheckRite (800) 766-2748
    • ChexSystems (800) 428-9623

Telemarketers

Non governmental agencies and private organizations


Government Fraud Centers Around the World

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

China

Denmark

  • spam@fs.dk - Include a brief description of your complaint, your name, address and email address.

New Zealand

Germany

Hong Kong

Korea

Malaysia

Netherlands

Norway

United Kingdom - UK, Great Britain, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Island, etc.

United Kingdom

 


 

For a comprehensive list of national and international agencies to report scams, see this page.