An official website of the United States government
An official website of the United States government
FWB – Prior To Filing A Complaint
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the FWB define cyber-enabled crime?
Cyber-enabled crime includes any illegal activity that is assisted or conducted using cyber-related means.
It involves the use of internet technology to communicate false or fraudulent representations to consumers or businesses.
In addition to websites, emails, and chat rooms, nearly all telephone communications today utilize internet-based technology.
These crimes may include, but are not limited to:
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Advance-fee or payment schemes
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Non-delivery of goods or services
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Computer hacking or intrusion
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Employment or business opportunity scams
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Intrusion-based crimes such as ransomware and data breaches
2. Who should file a complaint with the Fraud Watch Bureau (FWB)?
Anyone who believes they have been affected by a cyber-enabled crime may file a complaint with the Fraud Watch Bureau.
This includes citizens of other countries or those reporting a subject located outside the United States.
You may also file a complaint on behalf of another person you believe has been affected by a cyber-related or financial fraud.
3. What details will I be asked to include in my complaint?
The FWB’s ability to address and analyze your complaint depends on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided.
The complaint form requests the following details:
Complainant’s Information
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This is the individual or organization affected by the crime.
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If you are completing the form on behalf of the complainant, you must provide your contact information separately.
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Required: Name, address, telephone, and email.
Financial Loss and Transaction Information
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Account or payment details, transaction dates and amounts, and the recipient of the funds.
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Total amount of loss to the complainant.
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For cryptocurrency transactions, please refer to the FWB Cryptocurrency Reporting Guide for additional information.
Subject Information
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This is the person or entity alleged to have committed the crime.
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Name, address, telephone, email, website, and IP address (if available).
Details Section
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Specific description of what occurred, including timeline and communications.
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Provide email header(s) if available.
4. After a Complaint Is Filed
What happens after I file a complaint?
Trained analysts at the Fraud Watch Bureau review and research all complaints, forwarding information to appropriate law enforcement and partner agencies for further action.
When will I be updated on the status of my complaint?
After you file a complaint with the FWB, it is reviewed by an analyst and routed to the proper investigative or enforcement body.
You will not receive direct updates from the FWB.
The FWB does not conduct investigations itself and therefore cannot provide the investigative status of previously filed complaints.
Investigation and prosecution are handled at the discretion of the agencies that receive the report.
Will I be informed that my complaint was received successfully?
Once you file a complaint with the FWB, you will see the following message:
Your complaint has been successfully submitted.
Thank you for taking action to protect yourself and others.
Due to the high volume of complaints received, the FWB is unable to respond to every submission.
Rest assured, your complaint will be reviewed and forwarded as appropriate.
5. Cancelling or Updating a Complaint
How do I cancel my complaint?
Once a complaint has been filed with the Fraud Watch Bureau, it cannot be canceled.
To provide new or corrected information, please file a new complaint referencing your previous case number.
What if I have additional information after filing?
Please submit a new complaint, indicating that it contains additional information related to a previously filed report.
6. Related Evidence
Should I retain evidence that supports my complaint or send it to the FWB?
The FWB does not collect physical evidence or accept file attachments.
You may copy and paste key information (e.g., email headers) into your report but must keep all original documents securely stored.
If an investigation is opened, the relevant law enforcement agency may request the material directly from you.
Examples of Evidence to Keep:
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Canceled checks or wire receipts
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Credit card or money order receipts
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Prepaid card records
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Shipping envelopes or tracking documentation
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Cryptocurrency transaction records
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Phone bills and chat transcripts
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Printed or electronic copies of emails (with full headers)
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Copies of relevant web pages or advertisements
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Network logs or system images, if available
Keep these materials in a safe location in case they are requested for investigative or prosecutive purposes.
7.Urgent Complaints
Can I file a complaint if I’ve been threatened online (email, chat, social media, etc.)?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or contact local law enforcement immediately.
What should I do if my complaint is time-sensitive?
All complaints submitted to the Fraud Watch Bureau are reviewed and disseminated as appropriate.
If your situation is urgent, please contact your local law enforcement agency directly in addition to filing with the FWB.
8.Terrorist or Security-Related Tips
To report information relating to possible terrorist activity, please visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website and submit a tip through official channels.
9.Disclosure of Information
Can the FWB provide information about a company’s legitimacy?
No. The Fraud Watch Bureau serves as a federal repository for cyber- and fraud-related complaints and does not provide validation or background checks on specific companies.
Can I find out if a complaint has been filed against me or my business?
No. The FWB does not release complaint information to the public.
Details about individual reports or investigations are not available.
10. Spam and Phishing Emails
Can I forward spam or scam emails to the Fraud Watch Bureau?
The FWB does not maintain an email inbox for general spam submissions.
When filing a complaint, please include the full text of the email and its header information directly in the form.
11. Media Inquiries
Who should I contact if I’m a member of the media?
All press and media inquiries should be directed to your local Department of Financial Security communications office or the Fraud Watch Bureau Public Affairs Division at https://www.fraudwatchbureau.us/
