How to report a scam

It depends on the scam type — but the universal first step is GACS (/report). It takes 30 seconds, the entry is public within minutes, and it warns every future visitor through the website checker, the social profile scanner, and the browser extension. Then layer the channel-specific reports from the guides above.

No. Google Safe Browsing, GACS, APWG, PhishTank, and most carrier-level reports accept anonymous third-party submissions. The FTC and FBI/IC3 ask for your contact info for follow-up but you don't have to have lost money.

Google Safe Browsing warnings often appear in 6–24 hours. Full registrar takedowns usually land in 24–72 hours for clear phishing. Fake stores take longer. Stacking reports across registrar + host + Cloudflare + payment provider is what makes takedowns stick.

Card and PayPal payments are often recoverable through chargeback within 60–120 days. Bank wires and crypto are much harder, but a confirmed fraud report is required for any later civil or criminal recovery — file it the same day.