Learn About Filing Robocall Complaints Guide

Understanding Robocalls and Why They Matter

Robocalls are automated telephone calls that deliver a recorded message. These calls come in many forms: some are legitimate, like appointment reminders from your doctor's office or notifications from your bank. Others are scams designed to steal money or personal information. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reports that Americans received approximately 3.7 billion robocalls in 2023, with scam robocalls making up a significant portion of these.

The difference between legal and illegal robocalls is important to understand. Legal robocalls include those from charities, political organizations, and companies with which you have an existing relationship. These calls must still follow certain rules—they must display a real callback number, not call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in your time zone, and provide a way for you to opt out of future calls. Illegal robocalls, on the other hand, use deceptive practices, spoof real numbers, or target people on the National Do Not Call Registry.

Common types of robocall scams include tech support scams (claiming your computer has a virus), IRS impersonation calls (threatening arrest or legal action), utility company scams (threatening to shut off your service), debt collection fraud, and prize or lottery scams. These scams cost Americans billions of dollars each year. In 2022, the FTC received over 4.7 million robocall complaints, and reported losses from robocall scams exceeded $10 billion.

Filing a robocall complaint creates an official record that helps federal agencies track patterns, identify major scammers, and take enforcement action. When many people report the same number or type of call, it gives regulators the information they need to investigate and potentially shut down illegal operations. Your complaint, combined with thousands of others, builds the case that leads to legal action against robocallers.

Practical takeaway: Before filing a complaint, note these details: the exact date and time of the call, the phone number it came from, what the caller said, and whether you recognized the caller. Write down whether you answered the call, hung up, or let it go to voicemail. This information will be valuable when you file your complaint.

Where to File Robocall Complaints

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) maintains the National Do Not Call Registry complaint database and is the primary federal agency for receiving robocall complaints. You can file a complaint through their website at reportfraud.ftc.gov, which is the official reporting tool for unwanted calls and text messages. The FTC does not read individual complaints, but they analyze patterns across all complaints to identify trends and take action against major offenders.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also accepts complaints about illegal robocalls, particularly those involving spoofed numbers (calls that display a false number on your caller ID). You can file an FCC complaint through their website at fcc.gov/complaints. The FCC focuses on technical violations and network-level issues, while the FTC focuses on deceptive practices and fraud.

Your state's Attorney General office may also accept robocall complaints. Each state has its own consumer protection division that investigates fraud and scams affecting residents. Searching "[your state] Attorney General robocall complaint" will direct you to your state's specific process. Some states have streamlined online complaint forms, while others require you to call or mail in a complaint form.

Your phone service provider may also have a process for reporting robocalls. Major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile allow customers to report robocalls through their billing portals or customer service lines. Providing this information to your carrier helps them refine their call-blocking and filtering services. Some phone carriers offer apps like AT&T Call Protect, Verizon Call Filter, and T-Mobile Scam Shield that block suspected robocalls and allow you to report suspicious calls directly through the app.

If a robocall involved a specific threat—such as threatening to arrest you, harm you, or contact immigration authorities—you may also want to file a report with local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

Practical takeaway: Start with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov for any robocall you believe is deceptive or fraudulent. This creates the most comprehensive federal record and helps regulators identify patterns. File with the FCC if the caller spoofed a number, and contact your state Attorney General for additional local enforcement action.

Step-by-Step Process for Filing an FTC Robocall Complaint

The FTC's complaint process is straightforward and designed for the general public. Begin by visiting reportfraud.ftc.gov and selecting the type of complaint you wish to file. Once you identify "Robocalls and Phone Scams" as your complaint category, the system will guide you through a series of questions. You will be asked whether the call was a scam, a violation of the Do Not Call Registry, or another type of unwanted call.

The form requests specific information about the call. Enter the phone number from which the call came, if it was displayed on your caller ID. You will be asked the date and approximate time of the call. Provide as much detail as you can remember about what the caller said. If they claimed to be from a specific company or organization, note that. If they asked you to press a button, visit a website, or provide personal information, describe what happened. The form also asks whether you answered the call, and whether you provided any personal information, money, or access to your computer or bank account.

You will need to provide your own contact information, including your phone number and email address. The FTC uses this information to contact you if they need additional details about your complaint. Your information is kept confidential and not shared publicly. You may be asked whether you want the FTC to follow up with you, and whether you reported the call to other agencies.

The FTC's system allows you to upload supporting documents. If you have a recording of the call, a screenshot of a text message associated with the robocall, or documentation of money you lost, you can attach these files. After you submit your complaint, you will receive a confirmation number. Save this number for your records, as it allows you to track your complaint if needed.

It typically takes several minutes to complete an FTC robocall complaint. The entire process can be done on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. You do not need to create an account or provide a password; you simply fill out the form and submit it. Multiple complaints about the same number or caller strengthen the FTC's ability to take action, so if you receive repeated calls from the same source, file a new complaint for each incident.

Practical takeaway: Keep your confirmation number in a safe place. If you have documentation of a scam—such as screenshots, recordings, or proof of money sent—gather these before starting your complaint. Detailed information about what was said and what happened results in a more useful complaint for investigators.

Filing Complaints with the FCC and State Authorities

The FCC complaint process differs slightly from the FTC because it focuses on technical violations and regulatory breaches. To file an FCC complaint, visit fcc.gov/complaints and select "Unwanted Calls" as your complaint type. The FCC's main concern is illegal caller ID spoofing (when a robocaller disguises their number to appear as a local number or a company's real number), violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and calls that violate FCC rules.

When filing with the FCC, you will be asked whether you are a consumer, a business, or another type of organization. Consumers should select the consumer option. The form requests detailed information about the call, including the phone number displayed on your caller ID, the date and time, and what the message said. If the number displayed seemed fake or didn't match the caller's claimed identity, note this specifically. The FCC uses this information to investigate whether caller ID spoofing occurred.

The FCC asks whether you are on the National Do Not Call Registry. Your answer helps the FCC determine whether the caller violated the registry rules. The form also asks whether you reported the call to other agencies, which helps prevent duplication of effort among federal regulators. You will provide your contact information and may be asked to describe any financial loss or harm you experienced.

Filing a complaint with your state's Attorney General provides local enforcement. Search for your state's