How to Report Scam Text Messages to the FTC and Police (With Proof)

You get a text: “USPS: Your package cannot be delivered. Update your address here: [suspicious link].”

You know it’s a scam. You delete it and move on.

But here’s what you didn’t know: that text was evidence. Evidence that could help the FTC track down a fraud network, help your carrier block thousands of similar messages, and — if you’ve already been scammed — help you recover your money.

Americans lost $470 million to text message scams in 2024, according to the FTC. That’s five times what was reported in 2020, and those are only the losses people actually reported. The real number is almost certainly higher.

Most people don’t report scam texts because the process feels pointless — who has time to file a government complaint about a spam message? But when you automate the documentation, reporting becomes simple, fast, and effective.

This guide will show you how to automatically archive every incoming text — including scam messages — so you always have the evidence ready when you need to report fraud, dispute a charge, or file a police report.

Why Most Scam Victims Never Report (And Why That Helps Scammers)

The FTC relies on consumer reports to identify patterns, trace scam networks, and take enforcement action. But the vast majority of scam texts go unreported because:

• People delete the message before realizing they should save it
• The reporting process seems tedious — who wants to navigate a government website for a $0 loss?
• Victims feel embarrassed about falling for a scam
• People don’t know where to report — FTC? FBI? Police? Their carrier?

The result: scammers operate freely because the data that would shut them down is being deleted from phones every day.

Automatic archiving changes the equation. When every incoming text is forwarded to a secure email, you never have to decide in the moment whether a message is worth saving. The scam text you receive today might turn out to be part of a massive fraud investigation tomorrow. And your archived copy — with its timestamp, sender number, and full content — is exactly what investigators need.

The 5 Most Common Text Scams (And How to Recognize Them)

Knowing what you’re looking at is the first step. Here are the top scam text categories that the FTC flagged in 2024:

1. Fake Package Delivery Alerts

“USPS: Your package is undeliverable. Confirm your address: [link]”

The tell: USPS, FedEx, and UPS will never text you to request payment or personal information. If you’re expecting a package, check the tracking number directly on the carrier’s official website.

2. Phony Bank Fraud Alerts

“Chase: Suspicious activity detected on your account. Call 1-800-XXX-XXXX immediately.”

The tell: Your real bank will never ask you to call a number sent via text. Always call the number on the back of your physical debit card.

3. Fake Job Opportunities (“Task Scams”)

“Hi! We noticed your resume. Earn $300/day doing simple product reviews from home. Reply YES to start.”

The tell: Legitimate employers don’t recruit via random text messages. These scams eventually ask you to “invest” money to unlock your earnings.

4. Bogus Toll and Fee Notices

“You have an unpaid toll of $4.35. Pay now to avoid a $50 late fee: [link]”

The tell: Government toll agencies send notices by mail, not text. The urgency (“pay now or else”) is a classic pressure tactic.

5. “Wrong Number” Romance Hooks

“Hey Sarah! It’s been ages. Are we still on for dinner Friday?” “Sorry, I think you have the wrong number.” “Oh my mistake! But since we’re chatting, you seem nice…”

The tell: These evolve into long-term “friendship” or “investment” scams (known as “pig butchering”) that can cause devastating financial losses — sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Setting Up Your Scam Documentation System

Step 1: Create a Dedicated Archive Email

You don’t need a special email for scam reporting — any evidence email will work. But if you’re setting one up fresh:

• [email protected] or [email protected]
• Strong, unique password + 2FA
• Don’t use it for anything else

Step 2: Install SMS to Email Forwarder

Download SMS to Email Forwarder from the App Store. It’s free.

Configuration for scam documentation: 1. Enter your archive email address 2. Complete the Shortcuts Automation setup (~2 minutes) 3. Use “forward all” mode — scam texts come from unknown numbers, so filtering by contact won’t work 4. Close the app. It runs silently in the background.

Now every text you receive — including scam messages you might normally delete — is permanently archived with the sender’s number, full content, and a timestamp.

Step 3: Don’t Delete. Don’t Click. Don’t Reply.

When you receive a suspicious text:

• Don’t click any links — they may install malware or lead to phishing sites
• Don’t reply — even “STOP” can confirm to the scammer that your number is active
• Don’t delete it — it’s now evidence, and your archive has a copy regardless
• Don’t call any number in the text — if you’re concerned about a real account, call the company directly using a verified number

Where to Report: The Complete Guide

Your archived texts give you everything you need to file a report. Here’s exactly where to go and what each agency does with your report:

1. Forward to 7726 (SPAM)

What: Forward the scam text to 7726 (spells “SPAM” on your keypad) Who: Your wireless carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.) What happens: Your carrier uses these reports to identify and block scam phone numbers network-wide — potentially preventing thousands of other people from receiving the same message How: On iPhone, press and hold the scam message → “More” → forward to 7726

2. Report to the FTC

What: File a fraud report Where: ReportFraud.ftc.gov What happens: The FTC aggregates consumer reports to build cases against scam operations. Your report joins a database that powers law enforcement investigations across the country. What to include: Sender’s phone number, date/time received, full text of the message, and whether you lost money or personal information. Your email archive has all of this.

3. Report to the FBI (IC3)

What: Report internet-related crimes and financial fraud Where: ic3.gov When: Use this for significant financial losses, identity theft, or scam operations that appear to be large-scale or international What happens: The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center coordinates with international law enforcement to investigate and disrupt cybercrime operations

4. Report to Your State Attorney General

What: Consumer protection complaint Where: Search “[your state] attorney general consumer complaint” for your state’s filing portal When: Especially useful for recurring scams targeting your local area What happens: State AGs have independent enforcement power and can pursue legal action against scam operations within their jurisdiction

5. File a Police Report (If You Lost Money)

What: Local law enforcement report When: If you sent money, shared financial information, or experienced identity theft as a result of the scam text Why: A police report number is often required by banks and credit card companies to process fraud claims and chargebacks What to bring: Your email archive printout showing the scam messages, your incident timeline, and records of any financial transactions

If You’ve Already Been Scammed: Damage Control

If you clicked a link, shared information, or sent money, act immediately:

Financial Losses

• Contact your bank or credit card company within 24 hours to report fraud and request a freeze or chargeback
• File a police report to get a case number for your bank
• Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Identity Theft

• Visit IdentityTheft.gov — the FTC’s official recovery portal that generates a personalized recovery plan
• Freeze your credit at all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion
• Monitor your accounts — your auto-forwarded texts will capture any OTP codes that someone tries to use, alerting you to unauthorized access attempts

Compromised Device

• Change all passwords from a different, secure device
• Enable 2FA on every account that supports it
• Run a security scan on your phone
• Check for unauthorized app installations

Your Text Archive as a Pattern Detector

One underappreciated benefit of archiving every incoming text: you can see scam patterns in your email inbox that you’d never notice on your phone.

If you’re receiving scam texts every few days from different numbers, your email archive reveals:

• Timing patterns — do they cluster around payday or tax season?
• Number patterns — are the numbers sequential or from the same area code? (suggests a number-spoofing tool)
• Content evolution — are the scammers adjusting their language to be more convincing?

This information is valuable for law enforcement reports and may indicate that your phone number is being actively traded on scam lists — in which case, contacting your carrier about number reassignment may be appropriate.

The Reporting Habit: 30 Seconds That Matter

Your archive does the hard part — preserving the evidence. Reporting takes just 30 seconds:

1. Open your evidence email → find the scam text
2. Forward to 7726 from your phone (blocks the number for others)
3. Open ReportFraud.ftc.gov → paste the sender’s number and message content

That’s it. Three steps, 30 seconds. Multiply that across millions of consumers and scam networks lose their ability to operate.

Disclaimer: We are software developers, not lawyers or law enforcement officials. This article provides technical guidance for evidence preservation and reporting procedures. It should not be construed as legal or financial advice. If you have been a victim of fraud, contact the appropriate authorities listed above and consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.

Scammers count on you deleting the evidence. Don’t. Download SMS to Email Forwarder — every scam text, archived automatically, ready to report.