Phone scams cost Americans billions each year. The fastest way to protect yourself—and help stop the next victim—is to file reports with the correct authorities and block future calls. This SEO-friendly guide explains what to collect as evidence, which U.S. agencies handle each type of scam, how to submit effective complaints online, and what actions to take if you already sent money or shared personal information.

First Steps: Stay Safe and Capture Evidence

1. End the call. Do not share one-time passcodes (OTP), PINs, online-banking logins, or Social Security numbers.
2. Write down details: caller ID number, time and date, exact pitch (e.g., “bank security asking for OTP”), and any callback number or website they gave.
3. Save artifacts: screenshots of call logs or texts, voicemail transcripts/recordings, and transaction receipts if you sent money.
4. Block the number on your phone; then move on to the official reporting channels below.

Where to Report Phone Scams (Official Channels)

1) Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — ReportFraud

Use the FTC’s centralized portal for any consumer scam, including imposters, tech support, debt relief, and prize/lottery pitches. Your report feeds national databases used by investigators and carrier spam filters. Submit at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For Do Not Call and telemarketing violations, also use donotcall.gov.

2) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) — Unwanted Calls & Texts

The FCC enforces robocall, caller-ID spoofing, and TCPA rules. File complaints about illegal robocalls, spoofed caller IDs, and spam texts at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. Include dates, the caller ID shown, and whether consent was ever given to be called.

3) FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

If the scam involved online payment (crypto exchange, gift-card codes sent by photo, peer-to-peer apps, fake tech-support remote access), add a report at ic3.gov. Use IC3 especially when there is financial loss.

4) IRS Imposter Calls — TIGTA

For callers claiming to be the IRS, report to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at TIGTA. Remember: the IRS does not demand immediate payment by gift card, crypto, or wire on the phone.

5) Social Security Scam Calls — SSA OIG

If thieves threaten to suspend your SSN or promise a “benefit increase,” report to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report.

6) Medicare/Health Imposters — HHS OIG & 1-800-MEDICARE

Health-insurance or Medicare card scams should be reported to HHS OIG and via 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

7) Postal-Related Scams — U.S. Postal Inspection Service

If the scheme involves mailed documents, money orders, or packages, report to the USPIS at uspis.gov/report.

8) State Attorneys General & Local Police

File a complaint with your state attorney general (many accept online submissions) and keep a copy for your records. If money was stolen or you face identity theft, also file a local police report to document the crime for banks, credit bureaus, and insurers. A directory of AG offices can be found via the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).

9) Your Carrier & 7726 (SPAM)

Forward spam text messages to 7726 (which spells “SPAM”) from most U.S. carriers. This helps carriers block the originating routes. In your carrier’s app, enable Scam/Spam ID features and set auto-block high-risk calls.

If You Already Paid or Shared Information

• Credit/Debit Card: Contact your bank immediately, dispute the charge, and request a new card.
• Bank Transfer/Wire: Ask your bank to attempt a recall or hold; file reports with IC3 and the FTC.
• Peer-to-Peer Apps (e.g., Zelle, Cash App): Contact the app’s support and your bank; document everything.
• Gift Cards: Save the receipt and card; contact the issuer’s fraud department—refunds are rare but sometimes possible if funds aren’t redeemed.
• Crypto: Notify the exchange immediately and add an IC3 report; provide wallet addresses and transaction IDs.
• Identity Data Shared: Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan, credit freeze/fraud alert instructions, and pre-filled letters.

How to Write a Strong, Actionable Report

Clear, consistent details help investigators link your complaint to broader campaigns:

1. Exact script: “Claimed to be ‘Bank Fraud Department’; asked me to read a six-digit code to stop a $799 charge.”
2. Caller behavior: pressure, threats, secrecy (“don’t tell anyone”), refusal to provide written proof.
3. Technical clues: callback number, website, payment wallet, or remote-access tool used.
4. Artifacts attached: screenshots, audio files, PDFs of invoices or order confirmations (redact your sensitive data).
5. Financial impact: amounts, payment method, transaction IDs.

Block & Prevent Future Calls

• iPhone: Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers; block individual numbers from Phone > Recents (tap the “i”).
• Android: Turn on Caller ID & spam protection in the Phone app; long-press a recent call to Block / Report spam.
• Filtering apps: Use reputable call-filtering apps that crowdsource reports and label high-risk calls automatically.
• Data hygiene: Remove your number from public profiles and data-brokers where possible; avoid posting it on open sites.
• Teach your household: Share this checklist with teenagers and older adults, who are frequent targets.

FAQ: Reporting Phone Scams in the U.S.

Will my reports actually stop the calls?

Reports train carrier filters and help regulators trace large campaigns. While no single report blocks every call, consistent reporting improves ecosystem-wide blocking.

Are reports anonymous?

Most portals let you omit sensitive information; provide an email only if you want follow-up. Never include full account numbers or complete SSNs in public forms.

Should I call back or confront the scammer?

No. Callbacks confirm that your number is active and can lead to more attempts. Report instead.

What if the number looks like my bank or a government agency?

Caller ID can be spoofed. Hang up and dial the official number printed on your card or listed on the agency’s website.

Quick Checklist

• Hang up, block the number, and save evidence.
• Report to the FTC, FCC (for illegal calls/texts), and IC3 if money moved.
• Use TIGTA (IRS), SSA OIG, HHS OIG, or USPIS for agency-imposter or postal-related scams.
• Forward spam texts to 7726 and enable carrier spam filters.
• If you paid, contact your bank/app/issuer immediately and freeze or change credentials.