How to File an FTC Complaint Online for Consumer Fraud

Identify the Type of Fraud or Deception

Before filing your complaint, clearly categorize the issue you experienced. The FTC handles complaints about deceptive business practices, identity theft, unwanted telemarketing calls, misleading advertising, internet fraud, data breaches, privacy violations, and unfair billing practices. Common scenarios include being charged for services you did not authorize, receiving products that were materially different from what was advertised, falling victim to phishing scams, or encountering companies that refuse to honor refund policies. Understanding your specific issue type will help you navigate the complaint form more efficiently.

Gather All Supporting Evidence

Compile every piece of evidence related to your complaint before starting the online form. This includes order confirmations, receipts, bank or credit card statements showing charges, email correspondence with the company, screenshots of advertisements or website claims that were misleading, terms of service pages, shipping confirmations, photos of products received, chat transcripts with customer support representatives, and records of phone calls including dates, times, and names of representatives you spoke with. Organize these chronologically so you can present a clear timeline of events in your complaint narrative.

Navigate to ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Open your web browser and go to reportfraud.ftc.gov, which is the official FTC consumer complaint portal that replaced the older FTC Complaint Assistant. This site is available in English and Spanish. The portal walks you through a structured questionnaire that categorizes your complaint and captures the relevant details. You do not need to create an account to file a complaint, though providing your contact information allows the FTC to follow up if they have questions. The entire form typically takes ten to fifteen minutes to complete if you have your documentation prepared.

Complete the Complaint Form

The form begins by asking you to select the general topic of your complaint from categories like online shopping, phone and mobile devices, banking and credit, internet services, and more. Then you will provide specific details including the company name, their website and contact information, the date the problem occurred, the amount of money involved, and how you paid. Write a clear and factual description of what happened, what the company promised versus what was delivered, what steps you took to resolve the issue directly with the company, and what outcome you are seeking. Include specific dollar amounts and dates throughout.

Submit and Record Your Confirmation

After reviewing all the information you entered for accuracy, submit the complaint form. The FTC will display a confirmation page with a reference number. Screenshot this page and save the reference number in a safe place. The FTC will also send a confirmation email if you provided your email address. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer complaints or seek refunds on your behalf, every complaint is entered into the Consumer Sentinel Network database that is accessed by thousands of law enforcement agencies nationwide. Patterns of complaints against specific companies trigger enforcement investigations.

Take Additional Protective Steps

After filing with the FTC, strengthen your complaint by filing with your state Attorney General's consumer protection division through their website, which you can find at naag.org. If you paid with a credit card, contact your card issuer to initiate a chargeback dispute under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Report the company to the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org. If the fraud involved identity theft, place a fraud alert on your credit reports with all three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Consider filing a police report if significant financial loss occurred, as this creates an official record useful for insurance claims and legal proceedings.