Cybercriminals don’t rest—and neither should your awareness. Every day, countless phishing attempts, scam emails, and suspicious messages land in inboxes around the country. Even if you don’t fall for them, these attempts matter. Reporting them helps protect not just you, but everyone else too.
If you receive a sketchy email that seems like a phishing attempt, one of the most effective steps you can take is to report it to the FBI. Doing so supports ongoing investigations, helps law enforcement track cybercriminals, and strengthens online safety for all of us.
Let’s break down why reporting matters, what kinds of activity you should share, and how to do it quickly and easily.
Why Reporting Suspicious Emails Makes a Difference
The FBI relies on tips to identify emerging cyber threats. Even if you spotted the scam early and didn’t fall for it, reporting your experience helps investigators connect the dots. Many phishing attacks come from coordinated criminal groups—not lone individuals. Tips help the FBI:
- Track patterns
- Spot new scam campaigns
- Identify and shut down fraudulent domains
- Protect others from the same attack
Your one report could be the missing puzzle piece in a much larger case.
When Should You Report to the FBI?
The key word here is suspicious. If something feels off, it’s worth submitting a tip. These could include:
- Phishing emails pretending to be banks, government agencies, or well‑known companies
- Emails asking for personal details, passwords, or financial information
- Messages containing strange links or unexpected attachments
- Emails threatening consequences unless you respond
- Attempts that look like business email compromise (BEC)
Think of tip‑reporting as your chance to support law enforcement—not to get help with an attack, but to warn them about suspicious attempts.
When NOT to Use the Tip Line
FBI tips are not the place to report cybercrimes that already succeeded.
If you were tricked, lost money, or had your data stolen, the FBI wants you to use a different resource: the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
IC3 is designed specifically for:
- Fraud involving financial loss
- Successful hacking or identity theft
- Online extortion
- Cybercrime that already caused harm
Suspicious attempts → FBI Tip Form
Successful attacks → IC3.gov
Knowing the difference helps ensure your report reaches the right team.
How to Submit a Tip
Submitting a tip is simple and only takes a few minutes. You can:
- Go to the FBI’s official tip page
- Describe the suspicious email or message
- Upload screenshots if requested
- Submit your report securely
You don’t need to know all the details. Just describe what happened and why it felt suspicious.
You’re Not Just Protecting Yourself—You’re Helping Everyone
Cybercriminals rely on silence. When people ignore phishing attempts instead of reporting them, attackers get more opportunities to trick someone else. By taking a moment to report suspicious activity, you’re supporting nationwide cybersecurity efforts and helping the FBI keep the digital world safer.
A quick report today could prevent a serious cybercrime tomorrow.
