If you have just discovered that you have been scammed online, take a deep breath. You are not alone, and this is not your fault. Scammers are professionals who use sophisticated psychological tactics to deceive people of all backgrounds and experience levels -- the FTC receives millions of fraud reports every year. What matters now is what you do next.

This guide walks you through the immediate steps to limit damage, report the scam, and begin recovery.

Phase 1: Immediate Damage Control (First 1-2 Hours)

1. Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Company

Call the fraud department of your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Tell them:

• You have been the victim of a scam
• The date, amount, and description of the transaction(s)
• Request a temporary freeze on your account
• Ask about initiating a chargeback or dispute for the fraudulent transaction
• Request a new card number if your card details were compromised

Most banks have 24/7 fraud hotlines. The number is usually on the back of your card.

2. Secure Your Accounts

If you shared any login credentials or the scammer may have accessed your accounts:

• Change passwords immediately for any compromised accounts
• Change your email password -- your email is the gateway to resetting all other passwords
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on every important account
• Revoke access to any connected apps or sessions you do not recognize
• Check for unauthorized changes to your account settings (forwarding rules in email, recovery phone numbers, etc.)

3. Stop All Communication with the Scammer

• Do not respond to any more messages from the scammer
• Block their phone number, email address, and social media accounts
• Do not try to negotiate or "scam them back" -- this only prolongs your exposure and may put you at additional risk

Phase 2: Preserve Your Evidence

Before cleaning up, document everything. This evidence is essential for reports and potential recovery.

Save and organize:

• Screenshots of all conversations (text, email, social media, messaging apps)
• Transaction receipts and bank statements showing the payments
• The scammer's email addresses, phone numbers, usernames, and wallet addresses
• URLs of websites involved in the scam
• Any documents or files the scammer sent you
• A written timeline of events from first contact to discovery

Store copies in multiple places -- your computer, cloud storage, and a USB drive if possible.

Phase 3: Report the Scam

Reporting serves two purposes: it creates the official record needed for your recovery efforts, and it helps law enforcement track and shut down scam operations.

File with the FTC

1. Go to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
2. Answer the questions about what happened
3. Your report goes into the Consumer Sentinel Network, used by over 2,800 law enforcement agencies

File with the FBI's IC3

1. Go to https://www.ic3.gov
2. Click "File a Complaint"
3. Provide detailed information about the scam, including all evidence you collected

File a Local Police Report

Contact your local police department and file a report. Bring your evidence. A police report number is often required by banks and insurance companies for fraud claims.

If Your Identity May Be Compromised

Go to https://www.identitytheft.gov to:

• Create a personalized recovery plan
• Get pre-filled letters to send to companies
• File an official FTC Identity Theft Report

Phase 4: Payment-Specific Recovery Steps

Credit Card

• Call your issuer and request a chargeback -- you typically have 60 days from the statement date
• Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protection of any payment method
• Success rate for fraud-related chargebacks is relatively high

Debit Card

• Report to your bank immediately -- federal law limits your liability to $50 if reported within 2 business days, but up to $500 if reported within 60 days
• Request a new card and account number

Bank Wire Transfer

• Call your bank and request a wire recall -- timing is critical, ideally within 24 hours
• Success depends on whether the funds have already been moved

Cryptocurrency

• Report to the exchange you used (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.) -- see our Coinbase refund guide for exchange-specific steps
• File with the FBI's IC3 -- they have a Recovery Asset Team that works with exchanges
• Follow our full crypto scam reporting guide for detailed instructions
• Recovery is difficult but not impossible, especially if funds are still on a regulated exchange

Gift Cards

• Contact the gift card issuer immediately (Amazon, Google Play, Apple, etc.)
• Provide the card numbers and receipt
• Ask them to freeze any remaining balance
• Recovery is possible but unlikely once cards have been redeemed

Payment Apps (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App)

• Report the transaction as fraud through the app
• Contact the app's support team
• File a complaint with your linked bank as well

Phase 5: Protect Your Identity

If the scammer accessed your personal information (Social Security number, date of birth, address):

Place a Credit Freeze

Contact all three credit bureaus to freeze your credit -- this prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name:

• Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ or call 888-298-0045
• Experian: https://www.experian.com/help/credit-freeze/
• TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze

Credit freezes are free and must be placed with each bureau separately. The CFPB provides additional tools and guidance for fraud victims dealing with financial institutions.

Monitor Your Credit

• Request free credit reports at https://www.annualcreditreport.com
• Review them for accounts or inquiries you do not recognize
• Check Have I Been Pwned to see if your email address appeared in known data breaches
• Visit the Identity Theft Resource Center for free guidance from identity theft specialists
• Consider setting up ongoing credit monitoring

Phase 6: Take Care of Yourself

Being scammed can be emotionally devastating. Feelings of shame, anger, anxiety, and depression are all normal responses. Please know:

• It is not your fault. Scammers are skilled manipulators who deceive people of all ages and education levels.
• You are not alone. The FTC received millions of fraud reports in recent years. This happens to people every day.
• Talking helps. Share what happened with a trusted friend or family member.
• Professional support is available. If you are struggling, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

Related Resources