Learn About Reporting Robocalls to Authorities

Understanding Robocalls and Why They Matter

A robocall is a phone call made using an automated system that delivers a recorded message. Unlike calls from actual people, robocalls use technology to dial numbers and play pre-recorded information to large numbers of people at once. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reports that robocalls have become one of the most common complaints from consumers in the United States, with billions of robocalls placed each year.

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Robocalls can be legitimate or illegal. Some robocalls serve real purposes—like appointment reminders from your doctor's office, payment notifications from your bank, or weather alerts from local authorities. However, many robocalls are used for scams, fraud, and unwanted marketing. Common illegal robocall schemes include fake IRS tax threats, counterfeit prize notifications, fake utility company warnings, and phishing attempts designed to steal personal information.

According to the FCC, in 2023 Americans received an estimated 32.4 billion robocalls. Many of these calls attempted to mislead people into giving away money or sensitive personal data. Some robocalls use technology to "spoof" caller ID information, making it appear that a call is coming from a trusted source like your bank or a government agency when it actually comes from scammers.

Understanding the difference between legitimate and fraudulent robocalls is important for your safety. When you receive a suspicious robocall, you have options for reporting it to authorities who track these calls and work to stop them. By reporting robocalls, you contribute to data that helps federal agencies identify patterns and shut down illegal operations.

Practical Takeaway: Robocalls are phone calls made by automated systems. Some are legitimate, but many are used for scams. If you receive a robocall that seems suspicious—especially one asking for personal information or money—take note of details like the number that called, the time, and what message was left.

How to Identify a Suspicious Robocall

Suspicious robocalls often share common characteristics that can help you spot them. One of the most obvious signs is that a recorded message starts playing immediately when you answer, rather than a person greeting you. Another red flag is when the message claims you have an urgent problem that requires immediate action, such as a warning that your Social Security number was used fraudulently or that your bank account has unusual activity.

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Scammers frequently impersonate government agencies. Calls claiming to be from the IRS often threaten legal action or arrest if you don't pay alleged back taxes immediately. These calls are almost always fraudulent—the IRS typically reaches out through mail first, not sudden phone calls. Similarly, calls claiming to be from Social Security, Medicare, or other government programs that threaten to cancel your benefits are usually scams.

Another common suspicious pattern is when the caller asks you to press a button or say "yes" to confirm information. This tactic is used to record your voice saying "yes," which scammers can then use to authorize fraudulent charges or to create deepfake audio. Legitimate companies rarely ask you to verify anything through robocalled messages.

Pay attention to requests for sensitive information. Real banks, government agencies, and legitimate businesses will never ask you to provide passwords, PIN numbers, Social Security numbers, or credit card details through a robocall. If a robocall asks for this information, it is fraudulent. Additionally, be wary of robocalls offering prizes you didn't enter to win or money you didn't apply for—these are classic scam tactics.

Technical signs can also indicate a suspicious call. If the caller ID shows a number that's almost identical to yours (differing only by the last few digits), this is likely a spoofed number designed to seem familiar and trustworthy. Sometimes the caller ID displays a business name you don't recognize or a generic term like "Unknown Caller" or "Out of Area."

Practical Takeaway: Write down these warning signs when you receive a call: automated message starting immediately, urgency or threats, requests for personal information, offers of money or prizes you didn't apply for, or caller ID that seems spoofed. If a call has several of these signs, it's likely fraudulent and worth reporting.

Federal Agencies That Accept Robocall Reports

Multiple federal agencies work together to track and investigate robocalls. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the primary agency responsible for regulating phone calls and robocall complaints in the United States. The FCC maintains a database of robocall complaints that helps identify patterns and illegal operations. You can report robocalls directly to the FCC through its Consumer Complaint Center at fcc.gov/complaints.

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) operates the National Do Not Call Registry and investigates consumer fraud, including robocall scams. The FTC's mission includes protecting consumers from deceptive practices. When you report a robocall to the FTC, the information contributes to their investigations into fraudulent schemes. The FTC can be reached through reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338.

If a robocall impersonates a specific government agency—such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare—you can also report it directly to that agency. For example, if you receive a call claiming to be from the IRS threatening tax action, you can report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at tigta.gov. If the call claims to be from Social Security, you can report it to the Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.

Your state's attorney general office may also accept robocall complaints. State attorneys general investigate consumer fraud within their states and can take legal action against scammers operating within their jurisdictions. You can find your state attorney general's contact information through the National Association of Attorneys General website.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) handles complaints about robocalls from financial institutions and debt collectors. If you receive suspicious robocalls related to banking, credit, loans, or debt collection, you can file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

Practical Takeaway: Different agencies handle different types of robocalls. For general robocalls, contact the FCC or FTC. For calls impersonating specific agencies, report to that agency directly. For financial robocalls, contact the CFPB. Keeping these options in mind helps you direct your report to the right place.

Step-by-Step Process for Reporting a Robocall

The first step in reporting a robocall is to gather information about the call while details are fresh. Write down or screenshot the following details: the phone number that called you (as shown on your caller ID), the date and time of the call, what the robocall message said (record it if possible, or write down as much as you can remember), and whether you recognized the claimed source of the call. If the call threatened you, scammed you, or requested specific personal information, note those details as well.

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For reporting to the FCC, visit the Consumer Complaint Center at fcc.gov/complaints. You'll find an option to report telemarketing calls, robocalls, and spoofing. The website will prompt you to select the type of complaint and provide your information about the call. The FCC form asks for the phone number that called, the date and time, the message content, and your contact information. You do not need an account to file an FCC complaint—the process is open to anyone who receives a suspicious call.

To report to the FTC, go to reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC website has sections for different types of scams. Select the category that matches your robocall (impersonation scams, prize scams, tech support scams, etc.) and fill in the details. The FTC also accepts reports by phone at 1-877-438-4338. When you call, a representative will ask questions about the call to gather information for their database.

If you use a smartphone, many phones have built-in reporting features. On iPhones, you can report a number through the Phone app by selecting the number and choosing "Report Junk Contact." On Android devices, the Phone app typically has a similar option to report spam or unwanted calls. These reports go to your phone's operating system and help improve their spam-blocking technology.

Some phone carriers also offer robocall reporting tools. AT&T, Verizon