How to Report a Travel Scam to the Right Agency

Where to report a travel scam depends on what was sold to you and who sold it

If you paid for a flight, hotel, or tour that never happened or arrived broken, you report to the company that took your money first — the airline, booking site, or travel agent. If they ignore you or the company no longer exists, you escalate to your credit card company or bank. For scams involving fake websites or stolen payment information, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) takes reports at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If a travel company is based outside the US or you suspect wire fraud, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov also accepts reports.

The company that took your money is your first stop because they are legally responsible for refunds or chargebacks. Most legitimate travel businesses have a dispute process — usually a customer service email or phone line — and will respond within 30 to 60 days. If the business is real but unresponsive, your credit card issuer can force a refund through a chargeback. If the business was fake from the start, the FTC and IC3 reports create a record that helps law enforcement and warn other travelers.

Key Takeaways

• Report to the company that took your money first, using their official customer service channels, not social media or review sites.
• If the company ignores you or no longer exists, contact your credit card issuer or bank to request a chargeback within 60 days of the charge.
• File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov for fake websites, stolen payment information, or travel companies that refuse to refund you.
• Report to the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov if you sent money by wire transfer, used cryptocurrency, or suspect the scam involved identity theft.
• Keep all emails, receipts, booking confirmations, and payment records — these are required by banks and law enforcement to investigate your claim.

How to contact the travel company and document the problem

Start by finding the official contact information for the company. Do not use phone numbers or email addresses from the website where you booked — scammers often fake those. Instead, search for the company's name plus "customer service" or "contact us" on Google, or call directory assistance. For airlines and major hotel chains, the official number is usually on your receipt or confirmation email.

When you contact them, explain what you paid for, what you received (or did not receive), and what you want — a refund, a replacement booking, or a credit. Keep the conversation brief and factual. Ask for a reference number or confirmation that your complaint was received. If you speak by phone, follow up with an email repeating what you discussed and what they promised to do. Save every email, screenshot, and receipt. If the company stops responding after one or two contacts, move to your credit card company.

Filing a chargeback with your credit card or bank

A chargeback is a refund forced by your bank when a merchant fails to deliver what you paid for. You start the process by calling the customer service number on the back of your credit card or logging into your bank's website. Tell them you paid for travel services that were not provided or were fraudulent. They will ask for proof: your booking confirmation, the charge on your statement, and any communication with the travel company showing they refused to refund you.

Banks have a 60-day window from the charge date to file a chargeback, though some extend this to 120 days. The process usually takes 30 to 90 days. During that time, the bank investigates and may ask you for more documentation. If the bank rules in your favor, the money goes back to your account. If you used a debit card instead of a credit card, the process is similar but slower — debit chargebacks can take longer because the money came directly from your account.

Reporting to the Federal Trade Commission

The FTC collects reports of scams and uses them to identify patterns, warn the public, and refer cases to law enforcement. You do not need to have lost money to file a report — you can report a scam you recognized before paying. Go to reportfraud.ftc.gov and select "Travel" from the category list. You will be asked to describe what happened, when it happened, how much money was involved, and what payment method you used.

The FTC report is confidential and does not result in a direct refund, but it creates an official record. If many people report the same scam, the FTC may take action against the company or warn the public. The report also helps you if you later file a police report or dispute with your bank — you can reference the FTC case number.

Reporting to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center

The IC3 at ic3.gov handles reports of internet fraud, including travel scams. File an IC3 report if you sent money by wire transfer, used cryptocurrency, or believe your personal information was stolen. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency are harder to reverse than credit card charges, so law enforcement involvement matters more.

When you file, provide the same details as the FTC report plus any information about the scammer: email addresses, phone numbers, website URLs, or social media accounts they used. If you have screenshots of the fake website or messages, upload them. The IC3 assigns your report a number and may refer it to the FBI field office in your state or to Interpol if the scammer is overseas. You will not hear back unless the FBI opens an investigation, but your report is part of the evidence.

Reporting to your state's attorney general or consumer protection office

Every state has an attorney general's office with a consumer protection division. They track complaints about businesses operating in that state and can take legal action if a company is breaking consumer protection laws. Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find the online form. You will provide the same information as the FTC report: what you paid for, what happened, and how much money was involved.

State offices move slower than the FTC but have more legal power. If enough people complain about the same travel company, the attorney general may sue to shut it down or force refunds. Your report also becomes part of the public record, which helps future travelers research the company.

What to do if the travel company is based outside the US

If you booked through a foreign website or the company is registered overseas, you still file reports with the FTC and IC3 — both accept international cases. You can also file a complaint with the consumer protection agency in the country where the company is based, though this is slower and may require translation.

For chargebacks, your bank handles the international aspect — you just file the dispute as usual. Credit card networks like Visa and Mastercard have agreements with foreign banks to process chargebacks. Wire transfers sent to foreign accounts are harder to recover, which is why the IC3 report is especially important in those cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report a travel scam if I already got my money back?

Yes. Even if your bank issued a chargeback or the company refunded you, file reports with the FTC and IC3. These reports help law enforcement track repeat scammers and warn other travelers. The scammer may be running the same scheme under a different name.

What if I booked through a third-party site like Expedia or Booking.com?

Contact the third-party site first — they are responsible for the booking and often have a dispute process faster than contacting the hotel or airline directly. If they do not help, file a chargeback with your bank. You can also report the third-party site to the FTC if they knowingly hosted a fraudulent listing.

How long does it take to get my money back after I report a scam?

It depends on the method. Credit card chargebacks take 30 to 90 days. FTC and IC3 reports do not result in direct refunds — they are for law enforcement. If you want money back, your chargeback is the fastest route. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recovered.

Do I need a lawyer to report a travel scam?

No. The FTC, IC3, and your bank all accept reports directly from you at no cost. You only need a lawyer if you want to sue the company in small claims court, which is worth considering only if the amount is large enough to justify the filing fee.

What should I do if the scammer contacts me after I report them?

Do not respond. Save the message and forward it to the FTC and IC3 as additional evidence. If the scammer threatens you or harasses you repeatedly, file a report with your local police department and consider blocking their number or email address.