Report financial crime and protect yourself

For Consumers

If you or someone you know has been the victim of financial crime, the FCIC can help you report it and take the next steps.

File a Report

If you or someone you know has been a victim of financial crime, file a report with the FCIC.

Before You File

It helps to gather the following before starting your report:

Your contact information

Date(s) the incident occurred

Description of what happened

Name, phone number, email, or website of the person or company involved (if known)

How money was sent or received (wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, check, etc.)

Amount of money involved

Any supporting documents (emails, text messages, receipts, screenshots)

What Happens After You File

Your report will be reviewed by FCIC staff. Not all reports result in a criminal investigation. The FCIC focuses on cases that meet criminal thresholds and have investigative merit. Your report, however, contributes to our statewide intelligence picture and may help us identify larger fraud patterns or prevent the next victim.

If investigators need more information from you, we will follow up using the contact information you provided. Due to the volume of reports received, we may not be able to provide individual status updates.

Know the Signs

Identity Theft

Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information — your Social Security number, date of birth, or financial account details — without your permission. They may open new accounts in your name, file fraudulent tax returns, or drain existing accounts.

Warning signs: Unfamiliar accounts on your credit report, bills for things you didn’t buy, or the IRS rejecting your tax return because one has already been filed.

Bank Fraud

Bank fraud involves using deception to obtain money or assets from a bank or its customers. This includes writing bad checks, creating fake accounts, and impersonating bank employees.

Romance Scams

Scammers build fake online relationships over weeks or months, then ask for money — usually for an emergency, a plane ticket, or to "invest" together. Victims often lose significant amounts before realizing the person isn't real.

Bank Account Takeover

Criminals gain access to your existing bank or financial accounts, often through phishing emails, fake tech support calls, or stolen login credentials. Once in, they transfer funds quickly.

Warning signs: Unfamiliar transactions, unexpected password reset requests, or being locked out of your account.

Elder Fraud

Older adults are frequent targets because they may have accumulated savings, are more likely to be home, and may be socially isolated. Scams often involve fake government agencies (IRS, Social Security, FBI, or a law enforcement agency like the local police or sheriff's office), lottery winnings, or grandchild emergencies. If you believe an older adult is being financially exploited, report it immediately.

Investment Scams

These include Ponzi schemes, fake cryptocurrency platforms, and fraudulent investment advisors promising unrealistic returns. If you believe you may be a victim of an investment scam, click "Investment Scams" to report it to the Utah Division of Securities.

Online Fraud

Online fraud covers a broad range of scams conducted over the internet — fake online stores, fraudulent job listings, overpayment schemes, and more.

How to Protect Yourself

Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person, no matter how well you think you know them online. That includes people you may have ONLY met via FaceTime. Face-to-face contact (not online) is always recommended.

Government agencies (including the IRS or any law enforcement agency) will never demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.

If you receive an unexpected call from your bank, hang up and call the number on the back of your card.

Freeze your credit at all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.

Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on financial accounts.

Before handing over money, verify investment professionals at brokercheck.finra.org.

Talk to older family members about common scams — awareness is the most powerful defense. Help older family members vet emails, calls, or other solicitations for money.

What to Do If You're a Victim

Document everything: Save emails, text messages, receipts, and records of any communication.

Contact your bank or financial institution immediately to report unauthorized transactions and freeze your accounts if necessary.

File a report with the FCIC using the link below.

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

For identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan.

For investment fraud, file a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or FINRA or the Utah Division of Securities. For Internet-related fraud or crime, file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Resources

If you’ve been scammed, defrauded, or had your identity stolen, you are not alone — and it is not your fault. Financial criminals are sophisticated, persistent, and organized. The Utah Financial Crime Intelligence Center is here to help you understand what happened, report it, and take steps to protect yourself going forward.