Guide · Links checked 21 October 2026
How to report a scam
Reporting takes a few minutes. It helps agencies warn other people and shut down scam numbers and websites, and if you lost money, the sooner you report it the better. Here are the official places to report, by country.
United States
- Federal Trade CommissionReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report scams, fraud and people pretending to be a business or the government.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)Forward to 7726
Free on most mobile networks. Forward the text, then delete it.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint CenterIC3.gov
For online fraud, especially if you lost money.
India
- National Cyber Crime HelplineCall 1930
If you lost money, call straight away. The sooner you call, the better the chance of stopping the payment.
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portalcybercrime.gov.in
Report online fraud and other cybercrime.
- Sanchar Saathi Chakshusancharsaathi.gov.in
Report suspicious calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages, even if you didn't lose money.
United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud)reportfraud.police.uk
England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
- Forward scam texts to 7726Forward to 7726
Free on most mobile networks. Forward the text, then delete it.
- Forward scam emails to the NCSCreport@phishing.gov.uk
The National Cyber Security Centre takes down scam emails and websites.
Canada
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centreantifraudcentre.ca
Report fraud online, even anonymously.
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by phone1-888-495-8501
Toll free, Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4:45 pm Eastern time.
Australia
- Scamwatch (ACCC)scamwatch.gov.au
Report any scam, even if you didn't lose money. It helps warn others.
- Report a cybercrime to policecyber.gov.au
If you lost money or someone stole your details online.
Other countries, including the EU
If you paid or shared details, contact your bank straight away, then report it to your local police. Many countries also have a national scam reporting service. Your police or consumer-protection authority's own website will list it.
First, stop the damage
- Stop replying.
Don't call back, click links, pay or share one-time codes, even if the message says your account will be closed or someone will be arrested.
- Call your bank if money or codes were involved.
Use the number on your card or in your bank's own app. Ask it to stop or recall the payment and to secure your account.
- Secure your accounts.
Change any password you shared, and turn on two-step verification.
- Keep the evidence.
Take screenshots of the messages, the sender's number or address, links and any payment receipts before you delete anything.
What to put in your report
- Who contacted you: the phone number, email address, profile or website.
- When and how: the date, and whether it was a text, call, email, social media message or ad.
- What they said they were, and what they asked for.
- If you paid: the amount, the date, how you paid and any transaction or reference number.
- Never put passwords or one-time codes in a report. No genuine agency asks for them.
If you checked the message with the free Pressure Check and it came back as a likely scam, press Copy for your report in the result. You get a short summary to paste into the form: the verdict, the warning signs and short quotes, never the full message. Kindyra OS never reports or shares anything for you.
Questions
Should I report a scam if I didn't lose any money?
Yes. Reports help agencies spot new scams, warn other people and shut down scam numbers, websites and accounts. In the US, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. In India, report suspicious calls and messages on Sanchar Saathi Chakshu. In Australia, report it to Scamwatch.
Where do I forward a scam text message?
In the US and the UK, forward it to 7726, which is free on most networks. In India, report suspicious SMS, calls and WhatsApp messages on Sanchar Saathi Chakshu at sancharsaathi.gov.in. Keep a screenshot first if you also want to report it somewhere else, then delete the message.
I lost money to an online scam in India. Who do I call?
Call the National Cyber Crime Helpline on 1930 straight away, then file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Call your bank too, using the number on your card. The sooner you report it, the better the chance of stopping the payment.
Is Action Fraud still the place to report fraud in the UK?
Action Fraud has been replaced by Report Fraud, at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040. It covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. Forward scam texts to 7726 and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
What should I do first if I paid a scammer or shared a code?
Contact your bank or card provider straight away, using the number on the back of your card or in its own app, and ask it to stop the payment and secure your account. Change any password you shared and turn on two-step verification. Then report the scam.
Will reporting a scam get my money back?
Not always. Agencies use reports to investigate and warn others, and most don't handle refunds. Your bank or payment provider is your best chance of getting money back, so contact it first and quickly.
Does Kindyra OS report scams for me?
No. Kindyra OS never contacts anyone or shares your check. When the Pressure Check finds a likely scam, it shows the official places to report it in your country and a summary you can copy into the report form: the verdict, the warning signs and short quotes, never the full message.
Sources
- US Federal Trade Commission: how to recognise and report spam text messages
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- India: National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
- India: Sanchar Saathi, Department of Telecommunications (Chakshu and the 1930 helpline)
- UK: Report Fraud
- UK: National Cyber Security Centre, reporting scam texts and emails
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: report fraud and cybercrime
- Australia: Scamwatch, report a scam
- Australia: cyber.gov.au, submit a report
Not sure if it's a scam?
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