What to do if you've been scammed: a step-by-step plan

If you've just realized you were scammed, take a breath. It happens to careful, smart people every day, and acting quickly can make a real difference. Work through these steps in order. The first two are the most time-sensitive.

Step 1: Stop all contact

Hang up, stop replying and don't answer if they call back. Scammers often return with a new story: "we need one more payment to release your refund." If you gave them remote access to your computer, disconnect it from the internet, uninstall the remote access app they had you install, and run a security scan or have a trusted technician check it.

Step 2: Contact whoever moved the money right now

Use the phone number on the back of your card, on your statement or inside the official app, never a number the scammer gave you. Tell them you were scammed and ask them to stop, reverse or refund the payment.

• Credit card: call the issuer and dispute the charge. Federal law limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges, and you can dispute charges for things you never received.
• Debit card or bank transfer (including Zelle): call your bank or credit union right away and ask them to reverse it. Speed matters most here.
• Payment app (Venmo, Cash App, PayPal): report the payment in the app and ask for it to be reversed. Also report the scammer's account.
• Gift cards: call the company that issued the card using the number on the back. Tell them a scammer has the card number and PIN, and ask for a refund. Keep the card and the receipt.
• Wire transfer (Western Union, MoneyGram, a bank wire): contact the company or your bank immediately and ask for the transfer to be recalled.
• Cryptocurrency: contact the exchange or crypto ATM operator you used, say the transaction was fraud, and ask them to freeze or reverse it. Crypto payments are hard to undo, so report it to the FTC and the FBI's IC3 too.
• Cash by mail: call the US Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 right away. They may be able to intercept the package. For FedEx or UPS, call the shipper.

Step 3: If you shared personal information

• Social Security number or ID: go to IdentityTheft.gov (run by the FTC). It walks you through a recovery plan and creates an official identity theft report if someone has used your information.
• Freeze your credit at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). It's free, it stops new accounts being opened in your name, and you can lift it any time you apply for credit. You have to contact each bureau separately through its own website or phone line.
• Consider a fraud alert, which tells lenders to verify your identity first. Placing one with any one bureau gets it added at all three, and it lasts a year.
• Bank account or card numbers: ask your bank to close the account or reissue the card.
• Tax concerns: the IRS offers an Identity Protection PIN that helps stop someone filing a return in your name.

Step 4: Change passwords and lock down accounts

• Change the password on any account you shared, and on any other account that uses the same password.
• Turn on two-step verification, preferably with an authenticator app.
• If you read a one-time code to someone, assume they got into that account. Change the password and check for new devices or changed recovery details.
• Ask your phone carrier to add a PIN or port-out lock to your line, so nobody can move your number to another phone.

Step 5: Report it

• FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357.
• FBI's IC3: ic3.gov, for anything involving the internet, email, apps or crypto.
• Local police: a police report can help with banks and disputes, especially for larger losses.
• Your state attorney general's consumer protection office.

Details and what to include are in how to report scam calls.

Step 6: Beware of recovery scams

Step 7: Look after yourself

Scams are designed by professionals to exploit trust, fear and urgency. Being targeted says nothing about your intelligence. Tell someone you trust. Talking about it helps, and it may protect them too. If an older relative was scammed, help them through these steps rather than taking over.

Common questions

Will I get my money back?

It depends mostly on how you paid and how fast you acted. Credit cards offer the strongest protection. Wires, gift cards, cash and crypto are much harder to recover, which is why scammers ask for them.

Should I keep talking to the scammer to gather evidence?

No. Save what you already have (screenshots, numbers, receipts) and cut contact.