What a Secret Service Field Office Does

The U.S. Secret Service operates field offices in major cities across the country. These offices handle investigations into counterfeiting, financial crimes, and threats against protected persons. If you need to report a crime that falls under Secret Service jurisdiction — or if you have been contacted by an agent — you will work with the field office that covers your area, not a central headquarters.

Field offices are staffed by special agents, forensic specialists, and administrative personnel. They work cases that range from counterfeit currency and identity theft to wire fraud and threats against the President or other protected individuals. The office nearest you is the one that will take your report, conduct interviews, or provide information about an ongoing investigation.

Understanding which office covers your location and what they actually investigate can save you time. Many people contact the Secret Service for matters that fall outside their jurisdiction — and the field office can redirect you to the correct agency if that is the case.

Key Takeaways

  • The Secret Service has field offices in most major U.S. cities, and the one nearest your location handles cases in your area.
  • Field offices investigate counterfeiting, financial crimes, identity theft, wire fraud, and threats against protected persons.
  • You can find the field office that covers your area by visiting the Secret Service website or calling the main Washington, D.C. office for a referral.
  • If you are reporting a crime, have a specific description of what happened, dates, and any documents or evidence ready before you call.
  • Not all crimes fall under Secret Service jurisdiction — the field office can tell you whether your case belongs with them or another federal agency.

How to Find Your Local Secret Service Field Office

The Secret Service maintains a list of field offices on its official website, organized by region. You can search by state or city to find the office that covers your area. The website includes the street address, phone number, and sometimes the name of the special agent in charge.

If you cannot find your area on the website, call the Secret Service headquarters in Washington, D.C. at 202-406-5708. The operator can tell you which field office handles your location and provide you with that office's direct number. This is faster than guessing or calling multiple offices.

Some field offices also list their hours of operation and whether they accept walk-in reports. Larger cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami have dedicated field offices with extended hours. Smaller towns may be covered by a satellite office or an agent who works from a shared federal building.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

When you contact a field office to report a crime, the agent will ask for specific details. Have the following information available: the date the incident occurred (or the date you discovered it), the names and contact information of anyone involved, a description of what happened, and any documents or evidence you have.

For counterfeiting reports, describe the currency — which denomination, when and where you received it, and what made you suspicious. For identity theft or fraud, provide the account numbers involved, the names used fraudulently, and copies of any bills or statements showing the unauthorized activity. For threats, include the exact words used, how the threat was delivered (phone, email, mail, in person), and the date and time.

If you are a business reporting fraud, have your company name, the amount of money involved, and the name of the employee or vendor suspected of the crime. The agent will take notes and may ask follow-up questions. Do not assume the agent already knows the details — provide them clearly the first time.

What Crimes Fall Under Secret Service Investigation

The Secret Service has jurisdiction over a specific set of federal crimes. These include counterfeiting U.S. currency or government bonds, identity theft, wire fraud, computer fraud, access device fraud (stolen credit cards or account numbers), and threats against the President, Vice President, and other protected persons.

The agency also investigates crimes involving financial institutions — such as bank fraud, check fraud, and money laundering — when the crime crosses state lines or involves a federally insured bank. If you have been the victim of credit card fraud or your bank account was compromised, the Secret Service may be the right agency, though local police or the FBI might also be involved depending on the details.

Crimes that do not fall under Secret Service jurisdiction include most theft, assault, drug trafficking, and local fraud schemes. If you call a field office and your case does not fit their mandate, the agent will tell you which agency to contact instead — usually the FBI, local police, or the Federal Trade Commission.

How the Investigation Process Works After You Report

After you make a report, the field office will assign it a case number and determine whether it meets the threshold for investigation. Not every report becomes an active case — the agent will consider the amount of money involved, the likelihood of solving it, and whether it connects to other known crimes.

If your case is accepted, a special agent will contact you for a formal interview. This may happen in person at the field office, by phone, or at your home or business. The agent will ask detailed questions and may request additional documents or evidence. You may also be asked to provide a written statement.

The investigation timeline varies widely. A straightforward counterfeiting report might be resolved in weeks. A complex fraud case involving multiple victims or accounts could take months or years. The field office is not required to update you regularly, but you can call your assigned agent periodically to ask about progress. Have your case number ready when you call.

When to Contact the Secret Service Instead of Local Police

Local police handle most crimes that occur in your area. However, certain crimes are federal matters and belong with the Secret Service from the start. If you have discovered counterfeit currency, do not spend it or handle it further — contact the Secret Service when ready. If you have been the victim of identity theft involving multiple accounts or significant money, the Secret Service may take the lead, especially if the crime crossed state lines.

You can report to both local police and the Secret Service. In fact, local police often refer cases to the Secret Service when they recognize a federal crime. You do not have to choose one or the other. If you are unsure whether your case is federal or local, call your local police non-emergency line first — they can tell you whether to contact the Secret Service as well.

For threats against protected persons, always contact the Secret Service directly. Do not wait for local police to escalate it. The Secret Service takes all threats seriously and has the authority and training to investigate them.

What to Expect if You Are Contacted by a Secret Service Agent

If an agent contacts you, it means the Secret Service is investigating a matter that involves you — either as a witness, a victim, or a subject of the investigation. The agent will identify themselves, provide their name and badge number, and explain why they are contacting you. You have the right to ask for their credentials and to verify their identity by calling the field office directly.

You are not required to speak with an agent without a lawyer present. If you are the subject of an investigation (rather than a witness or victim), you should consider consulting an attorney before answering questions. If you are a witness or victim, you can choose to cooperate. The agent will explain what information they need and why.

If an agent asks to search your home or business, they must have a warrant signed by a judge. Do not allow a search without seeing the warrant. If they ask you to come to the field office for an interview, you can ask whether you are free to leave — if you are not, you have the right to have a lawyer present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report a crime to the Secret Service online?

The Secret Service does not have an online crime reporting form on its website. You must call your local field office or the headquarters number to make a report. Some field offices may accept reports by email after an initial phone call, but you should start with a phone call to confirm the proper procedure for your office.

How long does it take for the Secret Service to investigate a case?

There is no set timeline. straightforward cases may be resolved in weeks; complex fraud investigations can take months or years. The field office is not required to provide regular updates, but you can call your assigned agent with your case number to ask about progress.

What if I found counterfeit money?

Do not spend it or handle it further. Contact your local Secret Service field office when ready and describe where you found it. The agent will tell you whether to bring it to the office or if they will collect it from you. Do not touch it with bare hands if possible.

Is the Secret Service the same as the FBI?

No. The Secret Service investigates counterfeiting, financial crimes, and threats against protected persons. The FBI investigates terrorism, organized crime, civil rights violations, and many other federal crimes. Some cases involve both agencies working together.

What if I think someone is using my identity?

Contact your bank or credit card company first to freeze accounts and dispute fraudulent charges. Then file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at IdentityTheft.gov. You can also contact your local Secret Service field office, especially if the fraud is large or involves multiple accounts across state lines.