How do I report financial fraud?

Report financial fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, your state attorney general, and any relevant federal regulator (CFPB for consumer financial products, SEC for investment fraud, IRS for tax fraud). Also notify your bank or card issuer and file a police report — the combination creates the paper trail needed to dispute fraudulent accounts.

Reporting financial fraud matters for two reasons: it creates an official record you can use to dispute fraudulent accounts and recover losses, and it helps agencies identify patterns and pursue bad actors. There's no single place to report all fraud — the right channel depends on the type of fraud. The FTC's ReportFraud.ftc.gov is the broadest starting point for most consumer financial fraud.

Where to report based on fraud type

Consumer financial fraud (loans, debt collection, credit cards, banking): File with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The CFPB forwards complaints directly to companies and requires a response.
Identity theft (accounts opened in your name, SSN misuse): File an Identity Theft Report at IdentityTheft.gov. This generates the official document creditors and bureaus are required to honor when you dispute fraudulent activity.
Investment fraud, Ponzi schemes, securities fraud: File with the SEC at sec.gov/tcr and the CFTC at cftc.gov/complaint for commodities fraud.
Internet crime and cyber fraud: File with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. The IC3 handles online scams, wire fraud, ransomware, and cyber-enabled financial crimes.
Tax fraud (someone filed a return in your name): File IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) at irs.gov. You'll be issued an Identity Protection PIN for future returns.
State-level fraud: File with your state attorney general — most have an online complaint portal. Some states have additional agencies covering mortgage fraud, insurance fraud, or predatory lending.

Always notify your financial institution first

If fraud involves your bank account, credit card, or investment account, call the institution immediately using the number on the back of your card or their official website — not a number from a suspicious communication. Under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, your liability for unauthorized electronic transfers is limited if you report promptly. Credit cards carry even stronger protections under the Fair Credit Billing Act — your liability for unauthorized charges is capped at $50, and most issuers charge nothing.

Protect your credit while fraud is being investigated

While you're working through reports and disputes, freeze your credit at all three bureaus if you haven't already — a freeze costs nothing and prevents new fraudulent accounts from being opened in your name. See how to freeze your credit. Place a fraud alert at one bureau (which notifies the other two) as an additional layer. Pull your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com to identify any accounts you don't recognize.

Document everything

Keep records of every report you file: the confirmation number, the date, the agency, and who you spoke with. If you're disputing fraudulent accounts with creditors or credit bureaus, you'll need to reference these reports. The CFPB's guide on disputing errors explains what creditors are required to do once you file a documented dispute.

What the FTC and CFPB say

ReportFraud.ftc.gov is the FTC's centralized fraud reporting tool. Reports go into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a database used by law enforcement agencies nationwide. — FTC — ReportFraud.ftc.gov
The CFPB's complaint portal forwards consumer complaints directly to companies and requires a response. Companies must respond to CFPB complaints within 15 calendar days. — CFPB
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) handles internet-facilitated fraud and publishes an annual report on internet crime trends and losses. — FBI — IC3
Under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, a consumer's liability for unauthorized transfers is limited if reported within 2 business days of discovering the loss. Reporting promptly is essential to limiting losses. — CFPB

Key takeaways

Start at ReportFraud.ftc.gov for most consumer financial fraud — reports feed law enforcement databases nationwide.
For identity theft specifically, use IdentityTheft.gov to generate the official report that creditors and bureaus are required to honor.
Report investment fraud to the SEC (sec.gov/tcr) and internet crime to the FBI's IC3 (ic3.gov).
Contact your bank or card issuer immediately — prompt reporting limits your liability under federal law.
Freeze your credit while disputes are pending; it's free and prevents additional fraudulent accounts.