What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
It happens fast.
You clicked a link, filled out a form, or answered a call—and now your stomach’s sinking. Something doesn’t feel right.
Don’t panic. But don’t wait either. If you think you’ve been scammed, acting quickly can limit the damage and help you recover.
Here’s what to do, step by step.
Change Your Passwords Immediately
Start with the account that may have been compromised—then move to any others that share the same password.
- Create a strong, unique password
- Turn on two-factor authentication if it’s available
- Don’t reuse old passwords across different sites
If you use a password manager, this process is much easier and more secure.
Stop the Flow of Money or Information
If you sent money, gave out banking details, or shared personal info:
- Contact your bank or credit card provider right away to stop or dispute the charge
- Notify any payment apps (PayPal, Venmo, Zelle) if the scam involved one
- Put a fraud alert on your credit reports if your identity may have been exposed
The sooner you reach out, the better your chances of recovering funds or stopping further fraud.
Keep Records of Everything
Make note of:
- The email, text, or website that scammed you
- What info you shared
- Any money sent or account activity
- Who you contacted to report the issue
Save screenshots or take photos. You may need them for reports or future disputes.
Report the Scam to the Right Places
Reporting helps protect others—and may help investigators track down the criminals.
Where to report:
- FTC (Federal Trade Commission): reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): ic3.gov
- Your bank, credit union, or payment provider
- The platform or website where the scam took place
Some scams also qualify for identity theft protections—you can learn more at identitytheft.gov.
Monitor Your Accounts and Credit
After a scam, it’s smart to keep an eye on things—even after the immediate threat is gone.
- Check your bank and credit card statements regularly
- Set up transaction alerts or account notifications
- Consider placing a credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
- Watch for new accounts opened in your name
The Bottom Line
Getting scammed feels awful—but it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. These scams are designed to trick good, careful people.
What matters most is what you do next. And by acting quickly, reporting what happened, and staying alert going forward, you can take back control and reduce your risk moving ahead.
