Where to report a romance scam, country by country

Reporting a romance scam can feel embarrassing. It shouldn't. A romance scam is a fake relationship built online to get money, and the people behind it are organized criminals. Every report helps the authorities track them and warn other people. The contacts below were checked on 17 and 18 October 2026.

First, wherever you live

Your bank comes first, because it is the one place that may be able to stop a payment. Then gather the evidence and report.

1. Stop sending money and stop replying.
2. Call your bank or card company right away, using the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one the scammer gave you. Tell them it's fraud. The faster you act, the better the chance of stopping or recovering a payment.
3. Gather what you have (see the checklist below).
4. Report the profile to the dating site. On Just Senior Singles, use the members help center.
5. Report the scam to the official body for your country.

What to say when you call your bank

You don't need the right words; just be clear. For example: "I think I've been the victim of a romance scam. I sent money to someone I met online, and I'd like to report the payments as fraud and stop any more."

What to have ready

Reports are quicker and more useful with the details in front of you. Don't worry if you only have some of them; report anyway.

Don't delete the conversation, even if you want to. It's evidence.

United States

In the US, report to the FTC and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center; free helplines can talk you through it.

The FTC also asks you to report the scam to the dating or social media site where you met the person. IC3 says to file a report even if you're not sure your complaint qualifies. The FTC can't resolve individual reports, but it uses them to investigate and bring cases.

If the person being scammed is an older or vulnerable adult who may not be able to protect themselves, you can also contact Adult Protective Services in their state. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's guide to reporting elder financial abuse explains who to call. Our US page lists the free Eldercare Locator, which can point you to local services.

United Kingdom

In the UK, where you report depends on which nation you live in.

Report Fraud is the place to report fraud and cyber crime if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. It replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. If you live in Scotland, its website tells you to report via 101 instead.

159 is a short number run through Stop Scams UK that connects you to your own bank. It covers more than 99% of UK retail bank current accounts, and Stop Scams UK says it can't be spoofed or impersonated.

Scam texts and emails: forward suspicious texts free to 7726, and suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, as GOV.UK advises.

Emotional support: in England and Wales, the charity Victim Support runs a free Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111 for anyone affected by crime, including fraud. The government's Stop! Think Fraud campaign lists further support. Our UK page has the free advice lines for older people in each nation.

Canada

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) collects reports of fraud and cybercrime:

• Online: reportcyberandfraud.canada.ca
• Phone: 1-888-495-8501, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eastern, closed on holidays

If you're a victim, the CAFC asks you to contact your local police as soon as possible as well. It asks for reports whether or not you're a victim.

Australia

In Australia, the right place depends on whether you lost money or personal information.

• Lost money online: report to police through ReportCyber at cyber.gov.au.
• Everything else, including near misses: report to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au.
• Contact your bank immediately if you've lost money.
• Gave a scammer personal information? IDCARE is a free, not-for-profit identity and cyber support service. Call 1800 595 160, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. AEST.
• Feeling overwhelmed? Scamwatch points people to Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Our Australia page has more local help for older Australians.

After you've reported it

Scammers often go back to people they've already fooled, sometimes under a new name, so stay alert.

• Expect scammers to try again. Some pose as police, lawyers or "recovery agents" offering to get your money back for a fee. The FBI's IC3 says it will never contact you directly for information or money. Hang up on anyone who asks you to pay to recover a loss.
• Be wary of a "new" love interest who contacts you soon after, especially one who seems to know what happened. The FBI also warns that criminals use AI to fake voices and video, so check any surprising call by ringing the person or organization back on a number you know.
• Change passwords if you shared any, starting with your email and bank accounts.
• Watch your statements for payments you don't recognize.
• Tell someone you trust. Being scammed is a shock, and talking helps. In the US, the AARP helpline above offers support as well as guidance.

Read more

Our guide to romance scams aimed at people over 50 explains how these scams work, and how to spot a fake dating profile covers the warning signs to look for next time. The main safety page has everything else.