Report a scammer
Report a scammer
Reporting a scammer requires notifying the specific agencies equipped to investigate local fraud, protect your state's consumers, and track nationwide cybercrime.
When reporting in King County, Washington, use this structured framework to ensure your report goes to the right place and includes the details investigators need.
Before making a report, collect and document all details related to the interaction. Local and state investigators rely on this documentation to connect separate cases to the same scam ring.
Contact Information: The scammer’s phone number (even if spoofed), email address, or website URL.
Communications: Dates, exact times, text messages, or copies of fraudulent emails.
Financial Details: The specific payment method requested or used (e.g., specific gift card brands, wire routing numbers, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, or cashier's checks).
Physical Evidence: For local scams (like the recent surge in unsolicited contractor or chimney-repair fraud in South King County), note any vehicle descriptions, license plates, or professional logos used.
Contacting local law enforcement is crucial if you have suffered a direct financial loss, handed over sensitive personal data, or if the scammer claimed to be a local official (such as a King County Deputy or a District Court agent demanding money for "missed jury duty").
If You Suffered a Financial Loss or Fraud:
You must file a report over the phone or in person. The Sheriff's Office does not accept reports involving financial loss through their online portal.
Call the KCSO Non-Emergency Line: 206-296-3311 to have a deputy take a formal report.
If You Experienced Identity Theft (With No Direct Financial Loss Yet):
If a scammer successfully obtained your Social Security Number or created a fraudulent Washington State unemployment claim in your name, you can file an official report online.
Where to File: Use the King County Sheriff’s Office Online Reporting System and select the "Identity Theft" category.
The Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) tracks patterns of deceptive business practices and fraudulent schemes targeting residents across the state.
General Fraud & Scams: File an online consumer complaint directly through the AGO website. This helps their Consumer Protection Division identify and take legal action against coordinated fraud rings. Here is their complaint page: https://www.atg.wa.gov/file-complaint
Robocalls and Text Scams: The AGO maintains a specific Robocall Complaint Form to track telemarketing fraud and illegal automated dialing systems targeting Washington phone numbers.
Contact Information:
Online: atg.wa.gov/file-complaint
By Phone: 206-464-6684 or 1-800-551-4636 (Lines open Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Because the vast majority of phone and internet scams operate across state or national borders, federal reporting ensures the technical data (like IP addresses and domain registries) is tracked globally.
For Internet, Email, or Online Fraud: File a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at IC3.gov. This is the central repository for federal cybercrime investigation.
For Impersonation and Identity Scams: File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC shares this data with thousands of local and federal law enforcement agencies to build criminal cases.