The field guide
How to report a misleading ad.
Skip the comment-section fight. Build a record that a platform, seller, payment provider, or consumer-protection agency can actually use.
Keep the ad intact.
Before reporting, record the ad while it is still visible. Capture the full video or post, caption, account name, product listing, price, and any “paid partnership” label. Keep the original URL. A screenshot of a claim without its source is harder to evaluate.
A useful evidence packet
A screen recording; screenshots of the exact words; seller and creator handles; product/model and listing URL; date seen; official specs or other primary evidence; receipt and order details if you purchased. Keep personal payment information out of public posts.
Check what was actually promised.
Copy the claim as written or spoken. Compare it to the manufacturer’s specifications, product manual, seller’s own listing, or reliable test data. Explain the mismatch without guessing about the seller’s intent. See the claim-checking guide for examples.
Report it where it appeared.
Use the reporting control on the ad, post, account, or product listing. Choose the closest available category, then give the precise claim and why it appears false. Platform menu labels change often, so follow the current in-app path rather than relying on a fixed sequence here.
Different reports do different jobs
A platform report flags content for the platform. A marketplace complaint addresses the listing or order. A report to the FTC helps identify questionable business practices. If you bought something, a refund request or payment dispute is a separate action.
Tell the FTC what happened.
Use the official ReportFraud.ftc.gov portal for scams, fraud, or bad business practices. The FTC says you can report a suspected scam even if you did not lose money. Include the company or seller, product, platform, dates, exact claim, links, payment details if relevant, and the evidence that contradicts it. Use the report builder to organize your facts; copy its text into the reporting form where appropriate.
Do not expect an individual reply or refund from an FTC report. It contributes to a broader enforcement picture. For a personal refund, contact the seller, marketplace, and payment provider directly.
FTC reporting FAQ · Consumer Sentinel Network · State consumer offices
The next move