How to Report a Crime Anonymously in the U.S

Instructions for reporting online and via phone

If you have knowledge of a crime that's been committed, or may be committed in the future, reporting it to the proper authorities could prevent further harm or even save a life. The decision to come forward about illegal activity can be a tough one, as it forces you to get involved in an ugly situation. You should know, however, that it is possible to report a crime anonymously in the U.S. You can share your story by either submitting an incident report through one of several law enforcement-affiliated websites or calling a toll-free tipline run by your local police department or FBI field office.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Reporting a Crime Online

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1
Submit an anonymous tip to your local police department or FBI field office. Visit the website of the law enforcement agency in your town, city, or district and look for a link where you can go to report a crime. If you're unable to find one, head over to tips.fbi.gov and use the provided form to tell what you know. This form will give you the option to make your report anonymously.^{[1]XResearch source}
- You can get in touch with the FBI if you have knowledge of any type of federal offense, including violent crimes, child pornography, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and terrorism.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceUnited States Department of JusticeOfficial website of the U.S. Department of JusticeGo to source}
- If you're not sure whether to send your tip to the police or the FBI, it may be a good idea to fill out two separate reports. Worst case scenario, one of the agencies will simply refer you to the other.
Tip: Some incident forms make the individual's first and last names required fields by default. Check beneath one or both name fields for a box that says something like “Decline” or “Withhold.” If there is, click it.
2
Send tips regarding controlled substances directly to the DEA. Pull up the DEA's website at DEA.gov and navigate to the "Submit a Tip" page. You'll be asked to specify the date and location of the offense and provide a detailed description of exactly what you saw. The DEA makes it optional to include your personal information on all incident forms.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Only drug crimes involving the large-scale manufacture and distribution of controlled substances should be reported to the DEA. You can notify your local law enforcement agency of lesser offenses like the possession or sale of small amounts of narcotics.
- Alternatively, you can report drug crimes through your local FBI field office's Internet tipline.^{[4]XTrustworthy SourceUnited States Department of JusticeOfficial website of the U.S. Department of JusticeGo to source}
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3
Use CyberTipline to report child pornography or sexual exploitation. From the website's main page, click the “Report to CyberTipline” tab and fill out an incident form. This form will ask for any and all information you may have about the crime, but will not ask you to give your name. It only takes about 5 minutes to complete an incident form, but it could have a lasting impact on a child's life.^{[5]XResearch source}
- You can also contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children by phone at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST).^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceUSA.GOVOfficial website for the United States federal governmentGo to source}
- CyberTipline is run by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and organization that helps track down and prosecute those who commit crimes against children.
4
Give crime reporting apps a shot if you're not sure who to tell. Nowadays, there are a number of web-based crime reporting apps that give users the opportunity to come forward with complete anonymity and confidentiality. When you file a report with an app like Torch, CrimeReports by Motorola, or P3Tips, you'll be advised about which organization it should go to and what steps to take to follow up. Some programs even allow you to submit additional info that may be instrumental in an investigation, such as photographic evidence or location markers.
- All of these apps are designed to be fast, efficient, and easy to use. Just download your program of choice from the iOS or Google Play App Store, provide the requested information, and hit "Send" to dispatch your report to the proper authorities.
5
File a complaint about an Internet crime with IC3. The Internet Crime Complaint Center, or “IC3” for short, is a subdivision of the FBI dealing exclusively with crimes that occur online. Consider reaching out to IC3 if you or someone you know has been a victim of hacking, fraud, identity or intellectual property theft, or other serious online offenses.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceInternet Crime Complaint CenterOnline reporting system for individuals to inform the FBI about Internet-related criminal activityGo to source}
- While it's possible to file a report with IC3 anonymously, the organization requests that victims provide as much personal information as possible in order to better investigate complaints.
- If you'd like to report a lesser offense, like unrelenting spam emails or mass marketing fraud, you can do so on the FTC's Complaint Assistant website.^{[8]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Calling the Proper Authorities

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1
Dial 911 if you witness a crime in progress.^{[9]XExpert SourceSaul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police DepartmentExpert Interview. 21 February 2020.} Do your best to stay calm and answer the responder's questions to the best of your ability. You don't have to give your name if you prefer not to, but be prepared to provide your current location, nature of the activity you've witnessed, and any other helpful information you might have in order to assist authorities as much as possible.
- If you don't have access to your own phone or device, see if there's another phone in the immediate vicinity that you can use, or ask someone else to place a call for you.
Warning: Keep in mind that 911 is an emergency connection, and should be reserved only for crimes-in-progress and other urgent situations.^{[10]XResearch source}
2
Phone in an anonymous tip to your local police hotline. If you want to report a crime that's already happened, or has yet to happen, you'll need to call your local police department or FBI field office. Most police departments and FBI offices operate round-the-clock hotlines that make it possible for citizens to report crimes day or night.^{[11]XResearch source}
- To find out whether your local law enforcement agency has a tipline, run a quick search for “police hotline” or “police tipline” along with the name of your town, city, or district.
- The tipline responder may ask you for your name or other personal information, but be aware that you're not obligated to provide it.
3
Call your regional DEA office if you have knowledge of a drug-related crime. There are a total of 23 DEA Domestic Division Offices in the U.S., most of which are based in major cities. When you call, make it a point to be clear that you don't want your name included in your report. An agent will interview you and take appropriate action to follow up.
- It may be better to call the DEA than to submit a report online if the crime you witnessed just occurred. That way, you'll be able to relay the details directly to an agent while they're still fresh in your mind.
4
Report alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or explosives crimes to an ATF hotline. Due to the sheer number of crimes having to do with these items, the ATF maintains multiple hotlines. These include separate hotlines for arson (1-888-ATF-FIRE), bomb threats (1-888-ATF-BOMB), illegal firearm activities (1-888-ATF-GUNS), explosive theft or loss (1-800-461-8841), and other assorted offenses. Choose the line that best reflects the nature of the crime you're privy to.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceUnited States Department of JusticeOfficial website of the U.S. Department of JusticeGo to source}
- Direct general concerns and inquiries to 1-888-283-8477 if you're not sure which specific hotline to call.
5
Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline to report human trafficking. If you encounter someone who you think might be a victim of human trafficking, pick up the phone and dial 1-888-373-7888 right away. Once you're connected, describe what you've seen to the agent on duty. Your local law enforcement agencies will then step in to investigate the incident.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceUSA.GOVOfficial website for the United States federal governmentGo to source}
- A person who clearly is being controlled by another more aggressive person, seems unable to come and go as they please, or reacts fearfully to attempts at interaction may be being held against their will.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Not all human trafficking is related to sex. Victims may also be forced to work excessively long hours or perform dangerous or illegal types of labor. These people often appear exhausted or malnourished.

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Tips

Don't allow a responder to bully or guilt-trip you into giving your name. There's no law that says you have to state who you are when reporting a crime.
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Making an executive decision to tell someone about a crime you've witnessed, even if you choose not to share your personal information, is a commendable deed, and has the potential to positively impact your community.
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Warnings

Bear in mind that while the decision to disclose your identity is entirely up to you, it may be harder for law enforcement officials to bring criminals to justice without further cooperation, such as eyewitness testimony.
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