How to Report a Catfish

Where you report a catfish or romance scam depends on where you live and whether money changed hands. Start with the platform itself, then use the steps and agencies below.

1. Report and block the account directly on the platform where contact happened — this is usually the fastest way to stop further contact.
2. If any money was sent, contact your bank, card issuer, or payment app right away — some payment methods can still be reversed if reported quickly.
3. File a report with the consumer-protection or fraud agency for your country or state, listed below — these reports help agencies track and act on scam patterns even when an individual case can't be recovered.
4. If you're in the United States, also file with the FTC and, for financial losses, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) — both are included in every US jurisdiction below.