How to Offer a Reward for Information on a Missing Person or Unsolved Murder

A reward can bring in tips from people who know something but haven't come forward. Work with the investigating agency, set clear written terms for what the reward is for, keep the money somewhere safe until it's paid, and use your local Crime Stoppers program if you want tipsters to stay anonymous. Then announce it widely.

Updated November 15, 2026 · Crime Solvers Central, an independent, volunteer-run cold case site

The Flyer Builder has reward templates showing the amount, the terms and the police tip line, ready to print or share.

Make a reward flyer

1. Talk to the investigating agency

Ask whether a reward would help now and how tips should be handled. Investigators decide which tips are useful.
Ask whether there's already a reward from the agency, the state or Crime Stoppers that yours could add to.

2. Set clear terms

Write down exactly what the reward is for. Common terms are:

"Information leading to the safe return of [name]" for a missing person.
"Information leading to the location of [name]".
"Information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible" for a homicide.

Also state who decides whether a tip qualifies (usually with input from investigators), how long the offer lasts, and that tips go to police. Because a public reward can be a binding promise, it's worth having a lawyer look over the wording, especially for a large amount.

3. Decide how to hold and pay it

Crime Stoppers: local Crime Stoppers programs take anonymous tips and pay rewards without learning who the tipster is. Some programs also work with families to add to or manage a reward; call your local program to ask.
A separate account or escrow: keep pledged money apart from personal funds so it's there when needed.
Fundraising: if relatives and the community donate, record who gave what and decide in writing what happens to the money if it isn't paid out.

4. Announce it

Make a reward flyer with the amount, the terms in one line, a photo and the tip line.
Send a press release: a new reward is news. See how to write a press release for a missing person and how to get media coverage for a cold case.
Post it on social media and in local community groups, and ask people to share.
Raise it on anniversaries: increasing the amount later is another chance for coverage.

Keep yourself safe

Never pay anyone directly for information, and don't meet tipsters alone. Send all tips to police.
Watch for scams: people may claim to know something to get money. Investigators can tell you whether a tip is real.

The Flyer Builder has reward templates showing the amount, the terms and the police tip line, ready to print or share. See membership options.

Make a reward flyer

Frequently asked questions

How do I offer a reward for information about a missing person?

Talk to the investigating agency, write clear terms (for example, information leading to the person's safe return), keep the money in a separate account or with Crime Stoppers, and announce it with a flyer, a press release and social media.

Can a reward tip be anonymous?

Yes, through local Crime Stoppers programs, which take anonymous tips and pay rewards without learning who the tipster is. Some programs also work with families on rewards.

What should a reward say?

The amount, exactly what it is for (such as information leading to an arrest and conviction), how long it lasts, who decides whether a tip qualifies, and the police tip line.

Should I pay a tipster directly?

No. Send all tips to police and pay only through the arrangement you set up with investigators or Crime Stoppers. People sometimes make false claims to get reward money.

More help for families

Crime Solvers Central is an independent, volunteer-run case research and advocacy site, not a law enforcement agency. In an emergency call 911. Questions? Contact us.