How to Report an AI Scam: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Reporting an AI scam matters — even if you feel embarrassed or think nothing will happen. Your report helps law enforcement identify patterns, shut down scam operations, and protect future victims. The FBI IC3 has successfully recovered over $1.6 billion from reported scams since 2018. Every data point counts.

This guide walks you through every step of the reporting process, organized by urgency.

Step 1: Preserve Evidence Immediately

Scammers delete their tracks fast. Before anything else, save everything:

• Screenshots — Capture all conversations (text, email, social media DMs, WhatsApp). Include timestamps and sender/profile information.
• Transaction records — Bank statements, wire transfer confirmations, crypto wallet addresses, gift card numbers and receipts.
• Contact information — Phone numbers, email addresses, social media profiles, website URLs, app names.
• Audio/video — If you received a voice cloning call or deepfake video, note the phone number and save any recordings. Most phones allow screen recording during video calls.
• Email headers — For phishing emails, save the full headers (in Gmail: three dots → "Show original" → "Download original").

Store copies in multiple locations — your phone, computer, and a cloud backup. Scammers can't delete evidence they don't control.

Step 2: Contact Your Financial Institution

If money was lost, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. Time is critical:

• Credit card payments — Call the number on the back of your card. Dispute the charge as fraud. Most issuers have zero-liability policies and can reverse charges if reported promptly.
• Wire transfers — Contact your bank's fraud department immediately. Wire recalls are possible within 24-72 hours but become harder after that. The bank can initiate an international funds transfer recall.
• Cryptocurrency — Report the scam wallet addresses to the exchange you used (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.). While crypto is harder to recover, exchanges can freeze accounts associated with fraud. Report wallet addresses to Chainabuse.com.
• Gift cards — Contact the gift card issuer (Amazon, Apple, Google, etc.) immediately. Some issuers can freeze unspent balances if reported quickly.
• Payment apps — Venmo, Zelle, Cash App: report through the app's fraud/dispute process. These are harder to reverse but still report.

Step 3: File Federal Reports

Step 4: Report to Social Media Platforms

If the scam originated on social media, report the accounts and content:

• Facebook/Instagram (Meta) — Report → Scam or fraud. For ads: click "..." → "Report ad."
• WhatsApp — Open chat → Contact info → Report contact.
• LinkedIn — Click "..." on the profile → Report → Suspicious, spam, or fake.
• X (Twitter) — Click "..." on the post → Report → Suspicious or spam.
• Telegram — Tap username → Report → Scam.
• TikTok — Long-press video → Report → Scams and fraud.
• YouTube — Click "..." below video → Report → Scam/fraud.

Take screenshots before reporting — platforms sometimes remove content quickly after reports, and you need the evidence.

Step 5: File a Local Police Report

While local police may not investigate internet fraud directly, a police report creates an official record that helps with:

• Insurance claims (if applicable)
• Credit dispute documentation
• Identity theft recovery (if personal data was compromised)
• Creating a paper trail that supports federal investigations

Bring your preserved evidence — screenshots, transaction records, and any communication records.

Step 6: Protect Yourself Going Forward

• Freeze your credit at all three bureaus if personal information was shared. It's free and takes 10 minutes. See our complete credit freeze guide.
• Change compromised passwords and enable two-factor authentication on all accounts.
• Monitor credit reports for 12 months at annualcreditreport.com (free weekly).
• Set up fraud alerts with your bank and credit card issuers.
• Be cautious of "recovery scams" — criminals sometimes re-contact victims claiming they can recover stolen money for a fee. This is a second scam. Legitimate recovery only happens through law enforcement and your financial institution.

For Canadian Residents

In addition to the steps above:

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) — Report at antifraudcentre.ca or call 1-888-495-8501.
• RCMP — For significant losses, file a report with your local RCMP detachment.
• Credit bureaus — Contact Equifax Canada (1-800-465-7166) and TransUnion Canada (1-800-663-9980) for credit freezes.