SAFE NET / REPORTING GUIDANCE
HOW SCAM REPORTS WORK.
A report helps SAFE Net recognize scam patterns, share safer guidance, and connect people with appropriate official channels. Here is what to expect and what to save.
If money was sent or account access was shared, contact your bank, card issuer, payment provider or platform through its official number or app right away. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.
01 / THE PROCESS
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
Every report is different. These are the ways SAFE Net uses information when volunteers are able to review it.
SUBMIT.
Share the basic story through SAFE Net’s report page. Include what happened and how the person contacted you.
ORGANIZE.
Volunteers may organize the scam type, links, payment request, dates, screenshots and other useful details.
FIND THE ROUTE.
When appropriate, SAFE Net points you toward a bank, payment platform, law enforcement or an official reporting agency.
WARN OTHERS.
Repeated tactics can inform community education without publishing a victim’s identity or making unverified accusations.
02 / PREPARE YOUR REPORT
WHAT TO SAVE.
A few clear details can help you explain what happened to a bank, police agency or other official channel.
THE BASICS.
- Dates and a short timeline of what happened.
- Messages, emails, phone numbers, usernames, profile links and website addresses.
- Payment requests, receipts, gift-card records or transaction IDs.
- Relevant screenshots saved in a private place.
WHAT NOT TO SEND.
Do not send SAFE Net your passwords, full Social Security number, bank login credentials or explicit images. Keep originals of records you may need for your bank or law enforcement.
Tell us the type of information exposed without copying highly sensitive details into a message.
CLEAR EXPECTATIONS.
SAFE Net is a local nonprofit focused on awareness, useful next steps and victim-centered guidance. Volunteers can help people make sense of the scam pattern and prepare to contact the right official organization.
When someone needs to review account settings or place a credit freeze, they remain in control of their own accounts and decisions.
GUIDE AND EDUCATE.
Review reports for patterns, help organize basic details when possible, point people to official resources, and share anonymous warnings with the community.
NOT AN OFFICIAL CASE.
A SAFE Net report does not file a police case, open a bank dispute, launch a criminal investigation or guarantee a reply or money recovery. SAFE Net cannot access accounts or provide legal or financial advice.
04 / OFFICIAL CHANNELS
WHERE TO GO.
Choose the channel that fits what happened. A SAFE Net report is separate from any report or dispute you make with these organizations.
COMMON QUESTIONS
GOOD TO KNOW.
IS THIS A POLICE REPORT?
No. Reporting to SAFE Net helps us understand scam patterns and provide guidance when possible. Contact your local law enforcement agency directly if you need to make an official police report.
WILL SAFE NET GET MY MONEY BACK?
SAFE Net cannot recover money or promise a refund. If you paid or shared account access, contact your bank, card issuer, payment provider or platform through its official channel as soon as possible.
WILL MY STORY BE POSTED PUBLICLY?
SAFE Net may share an anonymized scam pattern to educate the community. We do not publish victim details or accuse named people or businesses based on an unverified report.
WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE DETAILS?
Start with what you know: when it happened, how the person reached you, what they asked for and any messages or receipts you still have. Do not share passwords or full account credentials.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
TAKE THE NEXT STEP.
Begin with the immediate account or payment risk. Then use SAFE Net’s report page to share the scam pattern and find a clearer path forward.