How to Report a FiveM Server

How to Report a FiveM Server: A Practical Guide

FiveM has become a cornerstone of the GTA Online community, offering custom role‑play and creative mode experiences. When a server violates Rockstar’s policies or the FiveM Platform License Agreement (PLA), it’s essential to report it in a clear, evidence‑packed manner so that compliance teams can act quickly and decisively. Below is a step‑by‑step guide that combines recent policy updates, proven evidence‑gathering techniques, and the most effective reporting channels.

1. Understand the Current Enforcement Landscape

Rockstar’s acquisition of the GTA Online brand in August 2023 prompted a comprehensive policy overhaul. FiveM’s compliance team now prioritizes three core areas:

1. Intellectual Property (IP) Protection – Real‑world car models, logos, and other brand assets are strictly prohibited.
2. Monetization Restrictions – Any form of in‑game profit that violates the new Tebex exclusivity rules, including loot boxes, cryptocurrencies, or NFTs, is off‑limits.
3. Child Safety – Servers that expose minors to inappropriate content or provide them with in‑game purchasing mechanisms are treated as a top‑priority security risk.

The compliance team’s primary inbox is compliance@cfx.re, with a typical 24‑72 hour acknowledgment window. For IP‑related violations, you can also reach out to copyright@take2games.com, and legacy reports should be directed to support@rockstargames.com. For non‑technical reporters, the web portal at support.cfx.re/hc/en‑us/requests/new serves as a quick entry point.

2. Gather Robust, Forensic‑Quality Evidence

The key to a fast investigation is a clean, timestamped, and verifiable evidence archive. Below are proven tools for collecting screenshots, video captures, and network logs.

2.1 Screenshots with Metadata

“`
scrot -s ‘evidence_%Y%m%d_%H%M%S.png’ -e ‘exiftool -all= $f’
“`

This command captures a window with a file name that reflects the exact date and time. `exiftool` strips away potentially identifying metadata, ensuring privacy compliance.

2.2 Video Capture with Overlay

“`
ffmpeg -f x11grab -s 1920×1080 -i :0.0
-vf drawtext=text=’%{localtime:%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S}’:x=10:y=10:fontsize=24:fontcolor=white:box=1:boxcolor=black@0.5
-c:v libx264 -preset ultrafast evidence.mp4
“`

The timestamp overlay provides an unambiguous timeline of the offending activity, vital for the compliance team’s verification.

2.3 Network Traffic and Server ID

“`
# Capture DDoS-style traffic
tcpdump -i eth0 -w ddos_evidence.pcap ‘port 30120’

# Extract server metadata
curl -s https://servers-frontend.fivem.net/api/servers/single/SERVER_ID | jq ‘{name: .data.hostname, ip: .data.connectEndPoints[0], owner: .data.ownerName}’
“`

These data points confirm the server’s IP address, public name, and owner identity, which are essential for any official complaint.

3. Structure the Report for Clarity and Impact

A well‑formatted report saves the compliance team hours of deciphering what you intend to say. Below is a template you can customize.

| Section | Content |
|—|—|
| Subject | PLA Violation Report – [Server Name] – [Violation Category] |
| Identification | • Server Name
• IP/Port or FiveM URL
• Owner Username
• Avg. Player Count |
| Violation | • Primary Category (e.g., IP, Monetization, Child Safety)
• Exact Section of PLA |
| Evidence | • Screenshots (link to Imgur or other host)
• Videos (Streamable)
• Network Logs (Pastebin) |
| Impact | • Estimated number of affected players
• Any monetary gain reported
• Duration of operation |
| Verification | • How to replicate the violation (steps, screenshots, logs) |
| Signature | • Your ID (Discord or forum username)
• Date |

Example:

“`
Subject: PLA Violation Report – Midnight City RP – IP Violation

Cfx.re Compliance Team,

I am reporting systematic violations of the Platform License Agreement by the following server:

Identification
– Name: Midnight City RP
– IP: 192.168.1.42:30120
– Owner: @CityAdmin
– Avg. Players: ~120

Violation Details
Primary Violation – Real‑World Brand Usage (Section 4.1.3)
Evidence – Screen 20240807_1543.png (link), Video 20240807_1544.mp4 (Streamable)
Impact – ~500+ players exposed to unauthorized use of Ferrari branding.

Verification – See attached logs; following the steps in the “Gather Network Traffic” section reproduces the same asset.

I confirm the accuracy of this report and request immediate investigation.

@ReportingUser
08/07/2024
“`

4. Choose the Right Channel and Follow Up

Once you’ve finalized your submission, decide which channel best fits your evidence type:

| Evidence | Preferred Channel | Notes |
|—|—|—|
| Screenshots & Videos | compliance@cfx.re | Attach files via Mail or link to host |
| IP‑Related Content | copyright@take2games.com | Especially useful for real‑world car models |
| Specific to Rockstar | support@rockstargames.com | Legacy or cross‑company issues |
| General Report | support.cfx.re/hc/en‑us/requests/new | For users without email access |

After submission, the compliance team will auto‑respond within 24 hours. Expect a thorough review within 48‑72 hours, with the final resolution typically within 10‑14 days. If your report involves child safety or active attacks, flag it as in the subject line to trigger immediate escalation.

5. Keep Records and Stay Ethical

Do not share personal conversation logs that might violate privacy or GDPR. Crop or blur usernames unless they are the server owner.
Avoid distributing evidence that could lead to defamation. Stick strictly to policy violations.
* If you suspect the server has abused hosting providers, consider sending an abuse ticket to the provider’s abuse email (e.g., abuse@ovh.net).

6. Why Reporting Matters

Reporting a FiveM server does more than protect your gaming experience. It upholds the integrity of the platform, protects minors, and ensures that developers focus on creative innovation rather than infringing on brand rights. Whether you’re a player, a dev, or a community moderator, your role in filing a clean, evidence‑driven report accelerates the compliance process and keeps the FiveM ecosystem healthy.

In summary, to report a FiveM server effectively, you should:

1. Know the latest policy changes and enforcement priorities.
2. Collect timestamped screenshots, videos, and network logs using the tools above.
3. Format your report with clear identification, violation details, and impact assessments.
4. Submit via the correct compliance channel and monitor for follow‑up.
5. Maintain privacy and legal compliance throughout.

By following these steps, you’ll provide the compliance team with all the tools they need to act swiftly and decisively, keeping the FiveM community safe, fair, and legally compliant.