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Printed from voicescam.com/help/how-to-report-a-voice-scam/ · Updated 23 October 2026

How to report a scam call

A person on the phone at a desk with a printed form and a pen

Report a scam call to your national fraud reporting service and, if money moved, to your bank and the police. Have the number, time, what was said and any payment details ready. Reporting helps even if you did not lose money.

Before you report, write down

  1. The number that called and the date and time.
  2. What the caller said, including names they used.
  3. Any payment details: amount, method, receipts and reference numbers.
  4. Anything you shared, such as card numbers or codes.

Who to tell first

  1. Your bank or payment company, if any money moved or you shared account details.
  2. The police, if you are in danger, cash was collected, or a family member was threatened.
  3. Your national fraud reporting service, so the call is recorded and patterns can be spotted.

Where to report, by country

Official places to report scam calls
CountryWhere to reportNotes
United StatesReportFraud.ftc.govAlso IC3.gov for internet crime and the FCC for spoofed calls
England, Wales, Northern IrelandReport FraudOnline or 0300 123 2040
ScotlandPolice ScotlandCall 101
CanadaCanadian Anti-Fraud CentreOnline or by phone
AustraliaScamwatchRun by the national consumer regulator

What to include

  • The phone number and the time of the call.
  • What the caller claimed, and who they pretended to be.
  • Any recording or voicemail. Keep the original.
  • Payment details and receipts.
  • The names of anyone else involved, such as a courier.

What happens after you report

You may get a reference number. Police may not contact you about every report, but reports are used to spot patterns, warn the public and build cases. In the UK, Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025 (City of London Police).

Signs a "follow-up" call is a second scam

  • They ask for a fee to process your report or recover money.
  • They ask for your bank details to "send a refund".
  • They want remote access to your computer or phone.
  • They pressure you to act today. Real agencies give you time.

Helping a parent or relative report a scam

Many reports are made by an adult child or a friend. Older people are often embarrassed, and that can stop them reporting at all. Your calm help can make the difference.

  1. Start with the money. If any payment was made, help them call their bank first, using the number on the back of their card. The bank may want to speak to the account holder, so sit with them while they call.
  2. Write down what happened while it is fresh. Ask open questions, such as "What did the caller say first?" Note the time, the number and every request the caller made.
  3. Collect the evidence in one place. Take screenshots of the call log and any texts. Keep receipts, gift card numbers and courier details.
  4. Make the report together. Fill in the online form side by side, so they can answer the questions you cannot.
  5. Keep the reference numbers safe. Write them on the same page as your notes.

Choose your words with care. Say "this happens to careful people" rather than "how could you fall for that". Blame makes people hide the next call. Thank them for telling you.

If your relative paid money or shared bank details, follow the steps for stopping a payment and securing accounts before anything else. If they only picked up and listened, read what a short scam call can and cannot do together. It may put their mind at rest. Every other guide is on the main help page.

After the report, agree one simple rule for the future: no money is sent on an unexpected call until someone has called back on a known number. Put the bank's real number and your own number next to their phone.

Sources

  1. Federal Trade Commission, ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Checked 23 October 2026.
  2. FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, IC3.gov. Checked 23 October 2026.
  3. Federal Communications Commission, Consumer Complaint Center. Checked 23 October 2026.
  4. City of London Police, "Report Fraud service goes live". Published 4 December 2025. Checked 23 October 2026.
  5. Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Checked 23 October 2026.
  6. Australian Government, Scamwatch. Checked 23 October 2026.

Common questions

Is it worth reporting if I did not lose money?

Yes. Reports help agencies track new scams and warn others, even when no money was lost.

Should I report to the police or the fraud service?

Call the police first if anyone is in danger or cash was collected. Otherwise, report to the national fraud service, and to your bank if money moved.

Can I report for my parent?

Yes. You can report on someone's behalf. It helps if they are with you to answer questions.

Will reporting get my money back?

Reporting alone rarely does. Your bank or payment company is the best route for recovering money. Contact them first.

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