Reporting a scam in the United States isn't very effective if you file your report with the wrong agency. Each type of fraud has its own designated office: identity theft isn't reported where internet fraud is, and immigration fraud isn't reported where credit card fraud is. This guide tells you exactly where your case goes , what to do in the first 24 hours if you've already paid money—which varies greatly depending on how you paid—and which scams are most commonly affecting the Hispanic community today.
A word of caution before we begin, because this is the biggest concern for many people: you can file a complaint even without legal status and without speaking English . The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) does not ask about your immigration status and provides services in Spanish. Scammers are counting on you not to file a complaint.
Where to report depending on the type of scam
| If this happened to you… | Report it here | In Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| General scams: purchases, services, fake prizes, calls | FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov | Yes, reportefraude.ftc.gov |
| Someone used your name, SSN, or ITIN (identity theft) | FTC — IdentityTheft.gov | Yes, RobodeIdentidad.gov |
| Internet fraud: online shopping, romance, crypto, hacking | FBI — ic3.gov | The form is in English |
| Notary or "consultant" who charged you for immigration procedures | FTC + your state attorney general + uscis.gov/es/evite-estafas | Yes |
| A call or letter claiming to be from the IRS and demanding immediate payment. | TIGTA — tigta.gov • fake emails to phishing@irs.gov | Part Time |
| Bank, loan, card, debt collector, mortgage | CFPB — consumerfinance.gov/es/ | Yes, and they answer the phone in Spanish. |
| Someone is using your Social Security number or collecting your benefits | SSA Office of Inspector General — oig.ssa.gov | Yes |
| The scam arrived by mail. | Postal Inspection — uspis.gov | Yes |
| You live in Tennessee and the business is here | Division of Consumer Affairs — tn.gov/commerce | Form in English |
You can—and in many cases, you should —file a complaint in more than one place. If a fake notary charged you $3,000 to "fix paperwork," the case goes simultaneously to the FTC, your state attorney general (who is the one who can shut down the business), and, if documents were filed on your behalf, to USCIS. None of these complaints will get you your money back on its own, but they are what build the case that ends in a state lawsuit.
You've already paid: what to do in the first 24 hours
This is where you either get your money back or lose it. What you can do depends almost entirely on how you paid , and the window is short.
| Payment method | What to do now | Probability of recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | Call the bank and ask for a chargeback (dispute over position) | High — is the most secure method |
| Debit | Same, but call us: protection decreases over time | Media |
| Bank transfer (wire) | Call the bank and ask them to try to reverse the transfer | It goes down, and only if you call during business hours. |
| Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, PayPal "friends and family" | Report it in the app and to the bank | Low — treated as cash |
| Gift cards | Call the store that issued it with the receipt and the numbers in hand. | Very low, but sometimes the balance freezes |
| Cryptocurrencies | Report to the platform and in ic3.gov | Almost nil |
| Giro postal (money order) | Report to the issuer (USPS, MoneyGram, Western Union) | Low |
A rule worth remembering: no U.S. government agency ever requests payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. If someone claiming to be from the IRS, USCIS, or the police asks you to pay in this way, it's a scam, without exception. And if you've already provided personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov : it will generate a step-by-step recovery plan and the official letter you'll need to send to the banks.
The scams that hit the Hispanic community the hardest
The "notary" who arranges papers
It's the most damaging of all. In Mexico and much of Latin America, a notary public is a lawyer with legal training; in the United States, a notary public is only authorized to authenticate signatures. They cannot provide immigration advice, fill out forms for you, or represent you. Anyone who does so and charges for it is committing a crime in most states, and the damage isn't just financial: a poorly filed form can cost you your case for years.
Before paying someone for immigration services, verify that they are an attorney or an accredited representative listed in the Department of Justice directory. It's free and takes two minutes.
Fake letters from the "BOI" to business owners
If you have an LLC, you've probably received an official-looking letter or email asking you to pay to "register your BOI" with FinCEN, sometimes with a QR code and a 48-hour deadline. FinCEN does not send letters requesting payments. We explain this in detail in our article on how to recognize fake FinCEN letters , and if you've already paid, what to do next.
Job offers that ask for money
Guaranteed work in exchange for a fee for "the permit," "the uniform," or "the training." A legitimate employer doesn't charge you to hire you. A common variation: they send you a check to buy equipment and return the excess; the check bounces weeks later, and the bank charges you the full amount.
Rents that do not exist
The listing features real photos, a below-market price, and an "owner" who is out of state and asks for a deposit via Zelle before showing the house. Never send a deposit without entering the property and verifying the owner's identity in county records.
The IRS call
A recorded voice or person threatening arrest or deportation if you don't pay today. The IRS always contacts you first by mail, never opens with a threat of arrest, and never asks for gift cards. Hang up and report it at tigta.gov.
How to verify before paying
- Look for the business name along with the word "scam". It sounds simple, but it rules out half the cases.
- Verify that the company exists in the registry of the Secretary of State where it claims to operate. It is public and free.
- Be wary of urgency. "It's today or you lose the opportunity" is the scammer's favorite tool: haste prevents verification.
- Demand an invoice and a written contract with real name, address, and phone number. Anyone who refuses has already told you everything.
- Pay with credit card Whenever you can. It's the only form of payment that allows you to easily recover your money.
FAQ
Can I report a scam if I don't have papers?
Yes. The FTC, CFPB, and state consumer protection offices accept complaints without asking about immigration status. If you're concerned about immigration status, you can first go to a community organization or a free legal clinic, which will file the complaint with you.
Is there any point in reporting it if the amount is small?
It works, even if you don't get your money back. The agencies operate based on patterns: one hundred $200 complaints against the same business are what trigger an investigation. Without complaints, that business continues operating.
How long does it take for them to reply?
The FTC doesn't investigate individual cases or contact you; it simply maintains a database used by police and prosecutors nationwide. The attorney general of your state and the CFPB typically respond, requiring the company to provide a written reply, usually within 15 days.
Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint?
Not to file a police report. It is advisable to consult with them if you lost a large sum of money, if you signed a contract, or if the scam affected your immigration case.
Save this for when you need it
If you're starting your own business, the two main entry points for fraud are paperwork (someone offering to expedite it) and fees. It's worth knowing which procedures are free—the IRS EIN is, for example—and which have an officially published fee. You can find this information in our step-by-step guide to opening a business in the United States.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Agency procedures and addresses may change; always verify the official website before filing a complaint.
