Where to Report a Scam: Every Agency and How They Help

FBI's IC3: Internet Crime Complaint Center

This is an area where awareness can make an enormous difference. The gap between those who know about this threat and those who don't is often the gap between safety and victimization.

According to the FBI and FTC, the pattern here follows a consistent trajectory that families can learn to recognize. Early intervention — before money is sent or information is shared — is almost always successful. Late intervention is far harder.

Key facts families should understand:

• Scammers are professionals who do this full-time — falling for their tactics doesn't reflect intelligence
• The emotional manipulation is carefully engineered over years of refinement
• Technology alone doesn't solve the problem — it must be combined with open communication
• Recovery is possible, but prevention is dramatically more effective and less traumatic

The most protective thing a family can do is create an environment where the senior feels comfortable asking questions and reporting suspicious encounters without fear of judgment. When that communication channel is open, most scams fail at the earliest stage.

For more context on how these threats are evolving, see our article on AI-powered scams targeting seniors.

FTC: Federal Trade Commission

This is an area where awareness can make an enormous difference. The gap between those who know about this threat and those who don't is often the gap between safety and victimization.

According to the FBI and FTC, the pattern here follows a consistent trajectory that families can learn to recognize. Early intervention — before money is sent or information is shared — is almost always successful. Late intervention is far harder.

Key facts families should understand:

• Scammers are professionals who do this full-time — falling for their tactics doesn't reflect intelligence
• The emotional manipulation is carefully engineered over years of refinement
• Technology alone doesn't solve the problem — it must be combined with open communication
• Recovery is possible, but prevention is dramatically more effective and less traumatic

The most protective thing a family can do is create an environment where the senior feels comfortable asking questions and reporting suspicious encounters without fear of judgment. When that communication channel is open, most scams fail at the earliest stage.

For more context on how these threats are evolving, see our article on AI-powered scams targeting seniors.

State Attorney General's Office

This is an area where awareness can make an enormous difference. The gap between those who know about this threat and those who don't is often the gap between safety and victimization.

According to the FBI and FTC, the pattern here follows a consistent trajectory that families can learn to recognize. Early intervention — before money is sent or information is shared — is almost always successful. Late intervention is far harder.

Key facts families should understand:

• Scammers are professionals who do this full-time — falling for their tactics doesn't reflect intelligence
• The emotional manipulation is carefully engineered over years of refinement
• Technology alone doesn't solve the problem — it must be combined with open communication
• Recovery is possible, but prevention is dramatically more effective and less traumatic

The most protective thing a family can do is create an environment where the senior feels comfortable asking questions and reporting suspicious encounters without fear of judgment. When that communication channel is open, most scams fail at the earliest stage.

For more context on how these threats are evolving, see our article on AI-powered scams targeting seniors.

Local Police Department

This is an area where awareness can make an enormous difference. The gap between those who know about this threat and those who don't is often the gap between safety and victimization.

According to the FBI and FTC, the pattern here follows a consistent trajectory that families can learn to recognize. Early intervention — before money is sent or information is shared — is almost always successful. Late intervention is far harder.

Key facts families should understand:

• Scammers are professionals who do this full-time — falling for their tactics doesn't reflect intelligence
• The emotional manipulation is carefully engineered over years of refinement
• Technology alone doesn't solve the problem — it must be combined with open communication
• Recovery is possible, but prevention is dramatically more effective and less traumatic

The most protective thing a family can do is create an environment where the senior feels comfortable asking questions and reporting suspicious encounters without fear of judgment. When that communication channel is open, most scams fail at the earliest stage.

For more context on how these threats are evolving, see our article on AI-powered scams targeting seniors.

AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline

This is an area where awareness can make an enormous difference. The gap between those who know about this threat and those who don't is often the gap between safety and victimization.

According to the FBI and FTC, the pattern here follows a consistent trajectory that families can learn to recognize. Early intervention — before money is sent or information is shared — is almost always successful. Late intervention is far harder.

Key facts families should understand:

• Scammers are professionals who do this full-time — falling for their tactics doesn't reflect intelligence
• The emotional manipulation is carefully engineered over years of refinement
• Technology alone doesn't solve the problem — it must be combined with open communication
• Recovery is possible, but prevention is dramatically more effective and less traumatic

The most protective thing a family can do is create an environment where the senior feels comfortable asking questions and reporting suspicious encounters without fear of judgment. When that communication channel is open, most scams fail at the earliest stage.

For more context on how these threats are evolving, see our article on AI-powered scams targeting seniors.

Social Media Platform Reporting

If your parent has been targeted or victimized, here's the step-by-step response plan:

Immediate actions (first 24 hours):

1. Stop all contact with the scammer — block their number, email, and social media accounts
2. If money was sent, contact the bank or payment provider immediately — faster action means better recovery odds
3. If remote computer access was given, disconnect from the internet and have a professional check for malware
4. If personal information was shared, place fraud alerts at all three credit bureaus

Reporting (first 48 hours):

• File a report at FBI's IC3 (ic3.gov)
• File a report at FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov)
• Report to your local police department (get a case number for insurance/bank claims)
• Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline: 877-908-3360

Emotional support (ongoing):

The emotional impact of being scammed can be worse than the financial loss. Don't minimize your parent's feelings. Avoid "how could you fall for that" — it prevents them from reporting future attempts. Consider professional counseling if depression or anxiety develop.

For complete recovery guidance, read our recovery after an online scam guide and our article on getting money back after a scam.

Financial Institution Fraud Departments

This is an area where awareness can make an enormous difference. The gap between those who know about this threat and those who don't is often the gap between safety and victimization.

According to the FBI and FTC, the pattern here follows a consistent trajectory that families can learn to recognize. Early intervention — before money is sent or information is shared — is almost always successful. Late intervention is far harder.

Key facts families should understand:

• Scammers are professionals who do this full-time — falling for their tactics doesn't reflect intelligence
• The emotional manipulation is carefully engineered over years of refinement
• Technology alone doesn't solve the problem — it must be combined with open communication
• Recovery is possible, but prevention is dramatically more effective and less traumatic

The most protective thing a family can do is create an environment where the senior feels comfortable asking questions and reporting suspicious encounters without fear of judgment. When that communication channel is open, most scams fail at the earliest stage.

For more context on how these threats are evolving, see our article on AI-powered scams targeting seniors.

Why Reporting Matters Even If You Don't Get Money Back

If your parent has been targeted or victimized, here's the step-by-step response plan:

Immediate actions (first 24 hours):

1. Stop all contact with the scammer — block their number, email, and social media accounts
2. If money was sent, contact the bank or payment provider immediately — faster action means better recovery odds
3. If remote computer access was given, disconnect from the internet and have a professional check for malware
4. If personal information was shared, place fraud alerts at all three credit bureaus

Reporting (first 48 hours):

• File a report at FBI's IC3 (ic3.gov)
• File a report at FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov)
• Report to your local police department (get a case number for insurance/bank claims)
• Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline: 877-908-3360

Emotional support (ongoing):

The emotional impact of being scammed can be worse than the financial loss. Don't minimize your parent's feelings. Avoid "how could you fall for that" — it prevents them from reporting future attempts. Consider professional counseling if depression or anxiety develop.

For complete recovery guidance, read our recovery after an online scam guide and our article on getting money back after a scam.

Frequently Asked Questions