Legit or Scam
Protection & response

FBI IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center)

Updated June 1, 2026Also called: ic3.gov, internet crime complaint center, fbi ic3

The FBI's portal at ic3.gov for reporting internet crime, including job scams and wire fraud.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the FBI's channel for reporting online crime. Reports can, in narrow cases, support rapid action on fraudulent wires and always contribute to investigations and national loss data.

If you have sent money by wire or crypto, file with IC3 quickly — speed occasionally matters for recovery attempts.

Frequently asked questions

When should I file with IC3 instead of the FTC?

File with IC3 (ic3.gov) for internet crime involving financial loss like wire or crypto fraud, ideally right away. You can also report to the FTC — the two serve different databases and both help.

Sources

Related terms

FTC Fraud ReportReporting fraud to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to aid enforcement and warn others.Wire Transfer FraudTricking a victim into sending money by bank wire, a fast and largely irreversible payment method.Cryptocurrency ScamFraud that demands payment in crypto or lures victims into fake crypto platforms, exploiting irreversible transactions.

Spot it before it costs you

Legit or Scam turns terms like this into instinct. Drop into real-world offers, recruiter DMs, and texts, and see how many you can call correctly.

Play Legit or Scam
Back to the glossary

Educational content only — not legal, financial, or security advice. Scenarios and company names are illustrative.