A caller says your bank account is in danger. A message asks you to pay a small delivery fee. Someone you met online promises an investment that cannot lose. Scammers use different stories, but they often want the same things: your money, your information, or access to your accounts.
If something feels wrong, pause. You do not have to solve the caller’s “emergency” on their schedule. If you already sent money or shared information, start with the steps below. Being deceived is not a reason to feel ashamed or delay getting help.
Already Sent Money? Contact the Payment Provider First
Contact your bank, card issuer, payment app, wire service, or other payment provider immediately. Use the number on your card, a trusted statement, or the provider’s official website—not a number supplied by the suspected scammer.
Explain exactly what happened, including whether you approved a payment after being misled or someone used your account without permission. Ask whether you can stop, dispute, or recover the payment, and whether you need to secure the account or card.
Recovery is not guaranteed. Credit cards, bank transfers, payment apps, gift cards, and cryptocurrency have different protections and recovery options. The FTC’s guide to what to do after a scam provides steps by payment method.
Keep messages, receipts, usernames, and transaction details. Stop sending money, even if the person claims another payment will release your funds.
Shared Passwords or Personal Information? Secure What Was Exposed
If scammers got a password, change it from a trusted device. Change it anywhere else you reused it, and enable multifactor authentication. Check account recovery details and, where the service allows, sign out of unfamiliar sessions.
If someone accessed your email, secure that account promptly. Email can be used to reset passwords for other services. If bank or card details were exposed, contact the institution as well; changing a password alone may not solve the problem.
If someone controlled your computer or installed software, stop the remote session and follow the device-access steps in the FTC guide above. Use a different trusted device for sensitive accounts until you’ve checked the affected device.
If identifying information was exposed or misused, visit IdentityTheft.gov for free guidance tailored to what happened. Not every scam involves identity theft, so choose the steps that match your situation.
Recognize the Stories Scammers Use
Bank or government impersonation: Someone says you owe money or must transfer funds to a “safe account.” Caller ID and familiar logos are not proof of identity.
Fake deliveries and account problems: A text or email sends you to a look-alike website to collect payment details or passwords. Open the company’s app or website independently instead of using the message’s link.
Marketplace offers: A supposed buyer sends an overpayment and asks for a refund, or a seller pushes you outside the platform’s normal payment process. A check appearing in your balance does not mean it is genuine.
Investment promises: Someone offers high returns with little risk or insists you act before you can investigate. Our Quick Wealth Offers guide explains these warning signs.
Romance and friendship requests: Someone builds trust online, then asks for money, gift cards, or help with an investment. A convincing relationship story doesn’t mean the request is safe.
Fake tech support: An unexpected caller or pop-up claims your device needs urgent repair and asks for payment or remote access. Contact the provider through its official support channel instead.
Verify the Request Through a Separate Channel
End an unexpected call or conversation before checking the claim. Find the organization’s contact information yourself. If a message appears to come from a friend or relative, contact them through a number you already know.
Legitimate organizations may need to verify your identity during a call you initiated. The key is knowing whom you contacted and why. Do not give passwords or one-time sign-in codes to an unexpected caller.
Scammers may use real names, familiar details, or copied profiles. Those details can make a story believable without making it true.
Watch How Scammers Use Pressure and Payment Instructions
Be cautious when someone demands secrecy, immediate action, remote access, or payment by gift card or cryptocurrency. Independently verify any urgent request to move money.
A familiar payment app does not make a transaction safe. Buyer protection, where available, depends on the service and transaction type. Do not assume you can recover a payment simply because you recognize the app.
Ask a trusted person to look at the request before you pay. Explaining the story out loud can help you notice details you missed while under pressure.
Understand Credit Freezes and Fraud Alerts
A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it harder to open new credit accounts in your name. It is free, and you need to request it separately with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It does not stop misuse of an existing account.
A fraud alert tells creditors to take extra steps to verify identity. Contact one bureau to request an initial alert; it must notify the other two. An alert does not restrict access in the same way as a freeze.
The FTC explains freezes and fraud alerts, and IdentityTheft.gov lists official bureau contact information. Choose the protection that fits the risk and follow the recovery steps for any accounts already affected.
Report Scammers and Keep Your Records
Report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For internet-related crime, you can also file with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. Contact local police if there are threats or you need a report for a claim or dispute.
Save copies and reference numbers. Reports help authorities identify patterns, but filing one does not guarantee you’ll recover your money. Continue working with the payment provider and any affected account companies.
Beware of Scammers Promising to Recover Your Money
Scammers may contact victims again, claiming to be investigators, lawyers, or recovery specialists. They may ask for a fee, a “tax,” or more personal information before returning funds.
Do not pay an unexpected contact who promises recovery. Check the FTC’s warning about refund and recovery scams before considering an offer. Start with your payment provider and free official resources.
Make It Harder for Scammers: Pause Before You Pay
Keep devices updated, use unique passwords, enable multifactor authentication, and check statements for unfamiliar activity. These habits help, but they do not make anyone immune to deception.
Our Financial Education guide covers broader money basics. For protection beyond scams, read Protect Your Money.
Scammers want a rushed decision. Your next useful step is to pause, verify independently, and ask for help. If you already paid, contact the payment provider now rather than waiting for the story to become clearer.