What to do if you're a victim of fraud

On this page

1. Collect your thoughts
2. Contact your financial institutions
3. Contact the police
4. Report the incident
5. Report to government agencies
6. Protect yourself from future fraud

Collect your thoughts

Stay calm. Gather all information about the fraud, including:

• documents
• receipts
• copies of emails and/or text messages

Contact your financial institutions

Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money.

If you're a victim of identity fraud:

• place fraud alerts on all of your accounts
• change all of your passwords
• report the fraud to the credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion)

Contact the police

Report the incident to your local police and get a file number for future reference. If you find suspicious activity on your credit report, update your file with the police.

Report the incident

Report online

Whether you are a victim or a witness, you can report a fraud or cybercrime online at our reporting system. You have the option to report anonymously if you wish.

Fraud that took place online through a website

Report the incident directly to the administrators of the website. You can do so through a link such as "Report Abuse" or "Report an Ad".

Redirected mail

If you suspect that someone had your mail re-directed, contact US Postal Inspection Service.

You should also notify your service provider (telephone, cell phone, electricity, water, gas, etc.) of the identity fraud.

Lost, stolen, or misused immigration documents

Please contact US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if:

• your immigration documents have been lost or stolen
• you suspect someone is fraudulently using them

Lost or stolen passport

If your passport is lost or stolen, report the incident to the US State Department and to your local police.

If you are outside of the United States, you must report the loss or theft to the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

Stolen Social Security Number

If you suspect someone is using your Social Security Number (SSN), contact the Social Security Administration and the FTC immediately.

Lost or stolen state identity documents

These documents include:

• your birth certificate
• your driver's license
• your health insurance card
• other documents issued by a state or federal agency

Please contact the state agency that issued the document if:

• the document has been lost or stolen
• you believe someone is fraudulently using this information

You can find contact information on your state government website.

Report to government agencies

• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Contact the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at 1-800-0-Europe (1-800-622-6232)

Protect yourself from future fraud

Scammers often target victims of fraud a second or third time with the promise of recovering money. Always do your due diligence and never send recovery money.

Share any updates with the US Anti-Fraud Centre, your financial institutions and police.

Tell family, friends, neighbours and co-workers about your experience. You may prevent someone else from becoming a victim.