How to Report a Scam Text Message and Stop Text Scammers
Why Reporting Scam Texts Actually Matters
Many people assume reporting a scam text does nothing. That is wrong. Here is what actually happens when you report:
- Your carrier uses reports to block numbers across their entire network â protecting other customers
- The FTC uses complaint data to identify scam operations and coordinate law enforcement action
- The FCC uses reports to fine carriers that allow fraudulent traffic on their networks
- Google and Apple use reports to remove scam apps and warn users about malicious links
A single report takes 60 seconds. Millions of reports have led to real arrests, multi-million dollar fines, and entire scam networks being shut down. Your report matters.
How to Report a Scam Text Message â Step by Step
- 1
Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM)
This works on all major US carriers â AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most others. Forward the scam text to 7726 and your carrier will send you a follow-up asking for the sender number. This is the fastest and most impactful report you can make â it triggers network-level blocking.
- 2
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and click Report Now. Select the category that matches your scam (impersonation, prize/lottery, delivery, etc.) and fill in the details. The FTC uses this data to build cases against scam operations and share intelligence with law enforcement agencies.
- 3
Report to the FCC if it involves phone fraud
For scam texts involving phone number spoofing or carrier-related fraud, file a complaint at fcc.gov/consumers/guides/filing-informal-complaint. The FCC regulates carriers and can take enforcement action against those that allow fraudulent text traffic.
- 4
Report phishing to the Anti-Phishing Working Group
Forward phishing texts (especially those containing links) to reportphishing@apwg.org. The APWG is an international coalition that works with tech companies to get phishing sites taken down â often within hours of a report.
- 5
Report to the impersonated company
If the scam text impersonates a specific company (your bank, USPS, Amazon), report it to that company directly. Most major companies have a dedicated fraud or phishing reporting email. For example: phishing@amazon.com, abuse@paypal.com, or your bank fraud hotline. They can warn other customers and work to get the scam site taken down.
- 6
File a police report if you lost money
If you were scammed and lost money, file a police report with your local law enforcement and also file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. While local police may not be able to recover funds, a police report is required for bank disputes, insurance claims, and tax deductions for fraud losses.
âšī¸ Note
You can report scam texts even if you did not click anything or lose money. The most valuable reports are the ones made immediately â before others fall for the same scam. Your report could prevent someone else from losing their savings.
How to Report Specific Types of Scam Texts
Toll Scam Texts (E-ZPass, FasTrak, SunPass)
Report toll scam texts to your state toll authority directly. Also report to the FBI at ic3.gov â the FBI issued a national warning about toll scams in 2024 and actively investigates these cases. Forward to 7726 as well.
IRS and Government Impersonation Texts
Report IRS scam texts to phishing@irs.gov. Report Social Security scams to the SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov. These agencies track impersonation scams and publish warnings to protect other taxpayers.
Bank and Financial Scam Texts
Report to your bank fraud department immediately â even if you did not click anything. Call the number on the back of your card. Banks track these reports to warn other customers and work with law enforcement on major scam campaigns.
Package Delivery Scam Texts
Report USPS scams to spam@uspis.gov (US Postal Inspection Service). Report FedEx scams to abuse@fedex.com. Report UPS scams to fraud@ups.com. These companies actively pursue legal action against scammers who impersonate them.
What to Do If You Already Got Scammed
- 1
Act within the first hour
The faster you act, the better your chances of recovering funds. Call your bank immediately if you shared card details or transferred money. Banks can sometimes recall wire transfers if contacted within 24 hours.
- 2
Change all compromised passwords
If you entered a password on a scam site, change it immediately on every account that uses the same password. Enable two-factor authentication on all important accounts â banking, email, social media.
- 3
Freeze your credit
If you shared your Social Security Number or other personal information, freeze your credit immediately at all three bureaus: Equifax (equifax.com), Experian (experian.com), and TransUnion (transunion.com). This is free and prevents scammers from opening new accounts in your name.
- 4
File reports with FTC and ic3.gov
File a detailed report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. Include the phone number that texted you, the exact text of the message, any links, and the amount lost. These reports are used in investigations that can lead to fund recovery.
- 5
Contact your state attorney general
Many state attorneys general have consumer protection divisions that handle fraud cases. Some states have victim compensation funds. Search your state name plus attorney general consumer complaint to find your state reporting page.
How to Stop Receiving Scam Texts
Enable built-in spam filtering: iPhone Settings â Messages â Filter Unknown Senders. Android: Google Messages â Settings â Spam Protection â Enable.
Forward every scam text to 7726 before deleting â this trains your carrier spam filter.
Register at DoNotCall.gov â it reduces some categories of unwanted texts from legitimate marketers.
Use WhatIsThisCharge.net Scam Detector to check any suspicious text before acting on it.
Consider a third-party spam blocking app like RoboKiller or Hiya that uses AI to block scam texts before they reach you.
Opt out of data broker sites that sell your phone number â search your name on Spokeo, Whitepages, and BeenVerified and request removal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reporting Scam Texts
â Good to know
You can check any suspicious text, link, or email instantly using the free Scam Detector at WhatIsThisCharge.net. Paste it in and get an instant AI-powered verdict â no sign up required.
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