No one deserves to go through this, and we know how frustrating and overwhelming it can feel. But don’t lose hope—there are steps you can take right now to try to limit the damage and protect yourself in the future.
Let's go through everything step by step, in simple terms, so you can secure yourself, recover what you can, and make sure this never happens again.
🚨 Step 1: Take Immediate Action
1️⃣ If Money Was Stolen, Contact Your Bank or Payment Provider
👉 What to do:
Call your bank, PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, or credit card company right away and explain what happened.
Ask if the transaction can be canceled, disputed, or reversed. Some payment methods cannot be reversed, but it’s still worth trying.
If the scammer took money from your bank account, ask to freeze your account and change your login information.
If you paid through a gift card or wire transfer, report it to the gift card company (like Amazon, Apple, or Google Play) immediately—sometimes, they can help.
⏳ Time is critical:
Banks and payment services may have deadlines for fraud claims, so the sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering your money.
2️⃣ Change Your Passwords Immediately
If the scammer had access to any of your online accounts (banking, email, social media, etc.), change your passwords immediately.
👉 How to create a strong password:
✅ Use at least 12 characters
✅ Mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
✅ Don’t use common words or your name
✅ Use a password manager (like Bitwarden or LastPass) if remembering passwords is difficult
⚠️ If you used the same password for multiple sites, change it on every account the scammer might have accessed.
3️⃣ If They Had Remote Access to Your Computer
Did the scammer connect to your computer through a program like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, or LogMeIn? If so, they could still have access!
👉 What to do right now:
Uninstall any remote access programs they had you download.
Restart your computer.
Run a virus scan with Windows Defender (built into your PC) or a trusted antivirus like Malwarebytes.
If you have important financial data on your computer, consider taking it to a professional for a security check.
🚨 If they accessed your work computer, tell your employer’s IT department right away.
🛡️ Step 2: Secure Yourself from Further Harm
4️⃣ Report the Scam
Even if you can’t recover your money, reporting the scam helps authorities track down scammers and prevent others from falling victim.
👉 Where to report it:
📌 In the U.S.:
FTC (Federal Trade Commission): ReportFraud.ftc.gov
FBI (For big scams over $10,000): ic3.gov
Your State Attorney General: Find yours here
If identity theft is involved: IdentityTheft.gov
📌 In Canada:
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
📌 In the UK:
Action Fraud: www.actionfraud.police.uk
📌 In Australia:
Scamwatch: www.scamwatch.gov.au
📌 If you were scammed on a website or social media:
Report the scam to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or the website where the scam happened.
5️⃣ Place a Fraud Alert on Your Credit
If you gave out personal info like your Social Security Number (SSN) or credit card details, you should freeze or monitor your credit to prevent identity theft.
📌 In the U.S., contact one of these agencies to place a fraud alert (they’ll notify the others):
Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285 or www.equifax.com
TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 or www.transunion.com
💡 A fraud alert is free and makes it harder for scammers to open accounts in your name.
🛑 Step 3: Protect Yourself from Future Scams
6️⃣ Watch for Follow-Up Scams
Scammers often target people again, pretending to be law enforcement or “fraud investigators” who claim they can help get your money back—for a fee.
🚨 DO NOT pay anyone promising to recover your money. It’s another scam!
7️⃣ Learn the Red Flags of Scams
Here are common scam tactics to be aware of:
❌ Urgency & Fear: “Your account will be closed if you don’t act now!”
❌ Unsolicited Requests: Calls, emails, or texts from unknown senders asking for money or info.
❌ Strange Payment Methods: Scammers often ask for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers—these can’t be reversed.
❌ Too Good to Be True: If someone offers free money, guaranteed investments, or miracle deals, it’s probably a scam.
8️⃣ Set Up Extra Security on Your Accounts
💡 Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on your email, banking, and social media accounts. This means even if someone has your password, they still can’t get in without a special code sent to your phone.
🚀 Most banks and big websites offer this—it’s one of the best ways to keep hackers out!
💙 You Are Not Alone
I know how hard it is to be scammed. It’s embarrassing, frustrating, and sometimes financially devastating. But please remember:
💡 Scammers are professional manipulators.
🚀 You are not stupid for falling for a scam—it happens to millions of people every year.
🛡️ What matters now is that you take action to protect yourself.
You are NOT alone. You CAN recover. And you CAN protect yourself moving forward.
💬 Need Help?
If you're feeling overwhelmed, consider talking to someone you trust. If you've lost a significant amount of money and feel hopeless, there are free financial and emotional support resources available. You don’t have to go through this alone.
📌 For emotional support:
Crisis Text Line (U.S.): Text HOME to 741741
Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123
💙 You are stronger than this scam. Keep moving forward. 💙