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The Five Steps Ahead companion guide

Scammed?
Take your next step.

Find where to report a scam and what to do first. Clear information, official contacts, and a little breathing room.

No account needed. No payment. No judgment.

Being scammed is not a personal failure. You deserve help. If anyone is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency service.

Start here

One step at a time.

Take the steps that fit what happened to you.

01 / STOP CONTACT

End the conversation.

Stop replying and sending money. Don’t follow more instructions from the person who contacted you.

02 / CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER

Ask for urgent help.

Tell your bank or payment provider what happened. Ask about stopping the transfer and securing any affected cards.

03 / SECURE YOUR ACCOUNTS

Protect your access.

Change exposed passwords from a trusted device. If someone accessed your device, seek help from a support provider you trust.

04 / KEEP EVIDENCE

Save the details.

Keep messages, receipts, transaction references and website addresses. Write a short timeline while you remember it.

05 / REPORT

Find your reporting route.

Use the country directory below. Keep the reference number you receive so you can follow up.

06 / ASK FOR SUPPORT

Tell someone you trust.

You do not have to handle this alone. Someone you trust can help you make calls and organise the next steps.

Watch for a second scam. Be wary of anyone who contacts you unexpectedly and asks for an upfront fee to recover lost money. Don’t send money or sensitive details in response.

Further guidance: FTC: what to do after a scam · Recovery scam warning signs

15 countries and regions

Australia

Scamwatch · ReportCyber

Report suspicious contact to Scamwatch. If money or personal information was stolen through cybercrime, use ReportCyber to make a police report. Contact your bank promptly.

Open Scamwatch

Canada

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police. Keep your police file number. The CAFC phone service operates Monday–Friday, 10:00–16:45 Eastern time, excluding holidays.

Call1-888-495-8501See CAFC reporting options

Europe

Your national police service

Report fraud to your country’s police. Europol’s directory can help you find national cybercrime reporting routes. For a cross-border consumer dispute, the European Consumer Centres Network offers a separate advice route.

Find a national reporting route
More help and reporting options

India

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

For financial cyber fraud, contact your bank and call 1930 promptly. You can also report through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Keep transaction references and evidence.

Call1930Open the cybercrime portal
More help and reporting options

Ireland

An Garda Síochána

Report suspected fraud to your local Garda station. Keep messages, payment details and other evidence to help explain what happened.

Read Garda reporting guidance

Kenya

National KE-CIRT/CC · Police

Report phishing and cyber incidents to National KE-CIRT/CC. For a crime report, contact your local police station as well. Keep the reference you receive.

Call0703 042 700Report a cyber incident

Malaysia

National Scam Response Centre

For a recent online financial scam, call your bank or the NSRC on 997 immediately. Also make a police report as soon as possible. If you cannot reach 997, contact your bank’s own 24-hour hotline.

Call997Read NSRC reporting guidance
More help and reporting options

New Zealand

New Zealand Police · 105

For a non-emergency fraud or scam report, use the Police 105 service online or call 105. If someone’s safety is at risk or urgent police attendance is needed, call 111.

Call105Open Police 105

Nigeria

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Use the EFCC website to find its petition service or a zonal office. The number below is listed on the EFCC’s official website. You can also contact your local police station.

Call+234 809 332 2644Open EFCC reporting options
More help and reporting options

Philippines

Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center

Report an online scam to the CICC using 1326. You can also email [email protected]. Keep screenshots, transaction references and the timeline of what happened.

Call1326View CICC reporting contacts (PDF)
More help and reporting options

Singapore

ScamShield advice · Singapore Police Force

Call the 24-hour ScamShield helpline for scam advice. If you have lost money or fallen victim, file an official police report. A report in the ScamShield app is not a formal police report.

Scam advice helpline1799File a police report

South Africa

South African Police Service

Report the crime at your nearest SAPS station. Keep the case number for follow-up with police and your bank. For a police emergency, call 10111.

Read SAPS reporting guidance
More help and reporting options

United Arab Emirates

Local police · Emirate-specific reporting

For scams and cyber-enabled financial crime, contact your local police. The UAE government lists the relevant routes, including Dubai Police eCrime. Use the route for your emirate.

Find UAE reporting routes
More help and reporting options

United Kingdom

Report Fraud · Police Scotland

In England, Wales or Northern Ireland, report through Report Fraud online or by phone. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.

Call0300 123 2040Open Report Fraud

United States

FTC · FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Report scams to the FTC. For internet-enabled crime, you can also submit an FBI IC3 complaint. People age 60 or older can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline for help with reporting.

Call1-877-382-4357Report to the FTC

Short phone numbers are intended for use within their country. Overseas access and call charges vary. Financial complaint services have eligibility rules and time limits; check the linked service’s current guidance.

Reporting contacts reviewed: . Services can change. Use the linked official pages to confirm current details. Reporting does not guarantee reimbursement or an investigation.

More ways to find help

Country not listed?

  1. Start with your bank or payment provider’s official app or the number on your card.
  2. Ask your local police where to report fraud.
  3. Use your government’s official directory to find its consumer or cybercrime agency. A logo or a familiar-looking web address alone is not proof.

Avoid sponsored recovery offers. Never share passwords or one-time verification codes with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.