If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report possible human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, text 233733, or chat at humantraffickinghotline.org. If a child is being exploited online, report it to NCMEC’s CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678.
You don’t need proof to report, and you don’t have to be sure. Trained staff and investigators decide what happens next. Your job is to share what you saw.
Fast Facts About Reporting Trafficking and Exploitation
- The National Human Trafficking Hotline takes reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.[1]
- Anyone under 18 engaged in commercial sex is a trafficking victim, whether or not force, fraud or coercion was used.[1]
- Homeland Security Investigations runs a 24-hour tip line at 1-866-347-2423.[3]
- NCMEC received more than 113,500 reports of possible child sex trafficking in 2025, a 323% increase from 2024.[4]
- The FBI takes tips at tips.fbi.gov and 1-800-CALL-FBI.[5]
If someone is in danger right now
- If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.
- For possible human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
- Report the exploitation of a child to NCMEC’s CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org or 1-800-843-5678.
- If your child is talking about suicide or self-harm, call or text 988, any hour.
Which Line to Call
| What’s happening | Where to report | How |
|---|---|---|
| Someone is in immediate danger | Police | 911 |
| Possible trafficking of an adult or child, for sex or labor | National Human Trafficking Hotline | 1-888-373-7888, text 233733, or humantraffickinghotline.org/chat |
| A child is being exploited online, or you don’t know where they are | NCMEC CyberTipline | report.cybertip.org or 1-800-843-5678 |
| You want to report to federal law enforcement | HSI Tip Line or the FBI | 1-866-347-2423, or tips.fbi.gov and 1-800-CALL-FBI |
| A child is missing | Police first, then NCMEC | 911, then 1-800-THE-LOST |
The hotline itself recommends NCMEC when the exploitation is online, involves children, and the location is unknown.[1] For a missing child, NCMEC asks families to report to law enforcement first and then to call 1-800-THE-LOST, especially when a child has run away.[4]
What Is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is when someone is compelled to work or engage in commercial sex through force, fraud or coercion. For anyone under 18, commercial sex is trafficking even without force, fraud or coercion.[1] A commercial sex act is any sex act where something of value, such as money, food, drugs or a place to stay, is exchanged.[4]
Child sex trafficking can involve a family member, a buyer with no separate trafficker, a gang, or someone who builds a relationship with the child and then uses it as leverage.[4] The guide to how predators find kids online explains how that contact often starts. For how many cases are reported each year, see human trafficking statistics.
Signs That May Point to Trafficking
The Department of Homeland Security suggests asking:[3]
- Does the person seem disconnected from family, friends or community groups?
- Do they seem disoriented or confused, or show signs of abuse?
- Do they show signs of being denied food, water, sleep or medical care?
- Are they often with someone they defer to, who seems to control where they go or who they talk to?
- Do they lack personal possessions or a stable place to live?
- Can they come and go freely?
Not every sign appears in every case, and one sign alone isn’t proof. Law enforcement investigates; you report what you noticed.[3]
What to Include in a Report
The hotline’s report form asks for:[1]
- Whether it seems to involve forced labor, forced sex, or both
- What you saw and why it worried you
- The date and time, or a timeline if it’s ongoing
- The location, physical or online
- What you know about the people involved: names, approximate ages, phone numbers, usernames
- Any immediate safety concerns
For online exploitation, add usernames, profile links, the apps used and screenshots of messages. Don’t save or forward sexual images of a child; describe them instead.
What Not to Do
Don’t try to confront a suspected trafficker or let a possible victim know you’re suspicious. Your safety and theirs come first. Contact police or a tip line instead.[3]
What Happens After You Report
Hotline staff review the information. You can often share it confidentially or anonymously, but hotline staff are mandated reporters: if you share identifying information about a child who is being harmed, or anyone in immediate danger, they may report it to police or child protective services.[1] The hotline isn’t law enforcement; it connects victims with services and can pass tips along.[3]
NCMEC reviews CyberTipline reports and makes them available to the right law enforcement agency.[6] When law enforcement steps in, it can connect survivors with medical and mental health care, shelter, job training and legal help.[3]
Take the 2-minute Online Safety Check
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report human trafficking anonymously?
The National Human Trafficking Hotline lets you share information confidentially or anonymously by phone, text, chat or online form. Staff are mandated reporters if a child is being harmed and you share identifying details.[1]
What number do I call to report child exploitation?
Call NCMEC’s CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 or report online at report.cybertip.org. Call 911 if a child is in immediate danger.[2]
Can I report trafficking by text?
Yes. Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733.[1]
What happens when you call the trafficking hotline?
An advocate takes your report, can connect victims with services, and may share information with law enforcement. The hotline itself isn’t a law enforcement agency.[1][3]
Related Guides
- Human trafficking statistics 2026
- How predators find kids online
- How to report sextortion
- Signs of grooming: a parent checklist
- Kids online safety center
Sources
- National Human Trafficking Hotline. (n.d.). Report Trafficking.
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (n.d.). CyberTipline.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Blue Campaign. (n.d.). How to Identify and Report Human Trafficking.
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (n.d.). Child Sex Trafficking.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Human Trafficking.
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (n.d.). Online Enticement.