If you're in the middle of it right now: stop, hang up, and don't send money or share codes. Then work down this list. It's never too late to report, and you are never the first person this happened to.
Report fraud
- FTC, Report Fraud: reportfraud.ftc.gov. The front door for most scams. Quick online form.
- FBI, Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): ic3.gov. For online scams, wire fraud, and crypto, this is the one that helps fund takedowns and recovery.
- Your local police non-emergency line, especially for wire transfers or an in-person courier; a report can help recovery and warn your community.
Talk to a real, kind human
- AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360 (free; you don't have to be a member) · aarp.org/money/scams-fraud.
Identity theft & your credit
- Identity theft recovery plan: identitytheft.gov (FTC), walks you through exactly what to do, step by step.
- Freeze your credit (free) at all three bureaus: Equifax (equifax.com), Experian (experian.com), TransUnion (transunion.com).
Medicare & Social Security
- Medicare fraud: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) · Senior Medicare Patrol smpresource.org.
- Social Security scams: oig.ssa.gov. (The real SSA will not call to threaten you or demand payment.)
Cut down the calls & texts
- National Do Not Call Registry: donotcall.gov (or 1-888-382-1222).
- Report spam texts: forward them to 7726 (spells "SPAM"), then delete.
- Ask your phone carrier about free spam-call filtering, most offer it.
Before you give to a charity or "deal"
- Check a charity: give.org (BBB Wise Giving Alliance) or charitynavigator.org.
Pearl's reminder: no real agency takes gift cards, wires to a "safe account," or crypto. And caller ID can be faked, when in doubt, hang up and call back on a number you already trust.
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Note: all links above go to official government, nonprofit, or credit-bureau sites. Grandma Pearl is an AI character (always labeled). Educational content only, not financial, legal, or medical advice.