How to Report Phone Numbers for Spam, Scam, Abuse, Advertisement, and More in the U.S.

Reporting phone numbers for spam, scam, abuse, or other inappropriate activities is important for keeping communication safe. In the U.S., there are several steps you can take to report these issues:

1. Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The FTC handles complaints related to robocalls, telemarketing scams, and fraud. They collect reports on suspicious phone numbers and use the information to take enforcement actions against offenders.

How to Report:

• Visit the FTC’s Complaint Assistant website.
• Select the appropriate category (e.g., "Unwanted Telemarketing" or "Fraud").
• Provide details about the call or the phone number.

2. Report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The FCC deals with telecommunication issues, including complaints about spam calls, robocalls, and abusive calls. They allow consumers to report unsolicited or illegal calls.

How to Report:

• Go to the FCC's complaint center: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
• Select "Phone" and follow the prompts to submit a report.
• You can file complaints about telemarketing violations, Do Not Call list violations, and robocalls.

3. Report to Your Carrier

Most major phone carriers (like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) have their own tools for reporting spam or scam calls. Many of them allow you to block numbers or report them directly from your phone.

How to Report:

• Look for a “Report Spam” or “Block Number” feature in your phone’s call logs or settings.
• You may also contact customer service for help in blocking or reporting suspicious numbers.

4. Use the National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry allows you to opt out of unsolicited marketing calls. If you’re receiving unsolicited sales or advertisement calls, you can register your number to stop them.

How to Report:

• Register your number at www.donotcall.gov
• After registering, you can file a complaint if you continue receiving unwanted calls from numbers on the list.

5. Report to Local Authorities (If Necessary)

If you’re receiving harassing or threatening calls, you can report them to your local authorities, such as the police or your state’s attorney general.

How to Report:

• Contact your local police department or your state’s attorney general's office.
• Many states have consumer protection divisions that handle scam, fraud, and abuse complaints.

6. Use Cellsaa.com

There are various third-party apps available that can help identify, block, and report spam or scam calls. Popular apps include Truecaller, RoboKiller, Hiya, and etc but Cellsaa.com has the below unique features

• Identifies the spam calls and text phone numbers.
• Check the Phone numbers are robocalls and allows users to report scam numbers.
• Verify spam calls and lets you report suspicious numbers.

These apps usually have an option to flag or report numbers as spam or scam, helping protect the community.

7. Report to the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

If you’ve received unsolicited calls related to business scams, you can report them to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

How to Report:

• Visit the BBB's website: www.bbb.org/scamtracker
• You can report phone numbers used by scammers targeting consumers.

By reporting unwanted or suspicious phone numbers through these channels, you help reduce the impact of spam, scams, and abuse.