Reporting Hotlines & Authorities — By Country

Federal Trade Commission. The single most important place to report any scam. Reports feed Consumer Sentinel Network used by federal, state & local law enforcement.

Internet Crime Complaint Center. For BEC, romance scams, crypto fraud, ransomware, hacking, identity theft initiated online.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. For disputes with banks, credit cards, payment processors, debt collectors, mortgage servicers.

Generates a personalised recovery plan for identity theft. Credit freezes, fraud alerts, IRS notification. Run by FTC.

Real humans. Free regardless of age (despite the “AARP” branding). Best US helpline for emotional support + practical advice.

Every US state has an AG office handling consumer fraud. Especially powerful for in-state operators & civil action.

UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre (run by City of London Police). Generates crime reference number needed for bank claims.

Scotland does not use Action Fraud. Report fraud to Police Scotland on 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency, scam in progress).

Forward scam SMS to 7726 (free, any network). Forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. Both run by NCSC.

Financial Conduct Authority. Verify if a firm is FCA-regulated. Report unauthorised brokers, fake investment platforms, clone firms.

Free dispute resolution if your bank refuses reimbursement. Strongest consumer scheme under October 2024 PSR rules.

Free consumer helpline. Especially useful for civil-law angles, refund rights, contract disputes. Trained advisers.

Run by ACCC’s National Anti-Scam Centre. Australia’s primary scam intake. Reports drive takedowns & law-enforcement intelligence.

Australian Cyber Security Centre. For cybercrime, account takeover, ransomware, identity compromise via online channels.

Australia + New Zealand national identity & cyber-support service. Free, tailored recovery plan. Real humans.

Verify financial-service licenses, check the Investor Alert List, report unauthorised brokers and investment fraud.

Dial 1930 immediately. Operators register your complaint on CFCFRMS — the real-time inter-bank freeze system. The 24-hour window matters.

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Upload screenshots, transaction IDs, UPI IDs, scammer numbers. Use after 1930 for evidence.

If your bank doesn’t resolve a fraud claim within 30 days, escalate free via RBI’s CMS portal. Independent dispute resolution.

Report unauthorised lending apps, predatory loans, unregulated investment platforms, Ponzi schemes. RBI’s complaints portal.

Securities & Exchange Board of India. Complaints against brokers, mutual funds, stock-tip scammers, investment advisors.

Every Bundesland has its own online police portal. Files an Anzeige (criminal complaint). Use 110 for emergencies.

Bundeskriminalamt. Federal Criminal Police. Handles serious cybercrime, organised fraud rings, cross-border operations.

Federal Financial Supervisory Authority. Report unauthorised brokers, fake crypto exchanges, dodgy investment platforms.

Free consumer-protection advice (German). Civil-law angles, refund rights under BGB, contract disputes. Excellent resource.

Free national victim-support helpline. Practical and emotional support for crime victims including fraud.

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Run by RCMP, OPP, and Competition Bureau. Also report locally to your provincial police.

Anti-Scam Helpline 1799 (24/7). ScamShield app blocks scam calls. Singapore Police Force Anti-Scam Centre coordinates response.

Internet-signalements.gouv.fr (Pharos) for online scams. THESEE platform for online fraud. 33430 for SMS phishing reports.

Free helpline for online harm including scams. Also report to CERT NZ and consumer protection (consumerprotection.govt.nz).

Report to Garda National Economic Crime Bureau via local Garda station. Banking and Payments Federation Ireland for bank disputes.

If your country isn’t listed, search the global directory for mental health helplines. For scam reporting, search “[your country] + fraud reporting authority”.