Urgent Help: What To Do Now
Take immediate action to protect yourself and minimize further harm
Educational service. We do not recover funds. No legal/financial advice.
Do These 3 Things FIRST (Right Now)
Before anything else, take these immediate actions
- 1
Stop all contact with the scammer
Block their phone, email, and social media. Do NOT respond to any messages.
- 2
Call your bank immediately
Use the number on your card. Report fraud and ask about stopping/reversing payments.
- 3
Do NOT send more money
No matter what they say—fees, taxes, releases—sending more money will only increase your loss.
I Already Sent Money
Immediate steps to take right now
I Installed Software / Gave Access
Secure your device immediately
I'm Not Sure
Get a free risk assessment
If You Already Sent Money - Complete Action Checklist
Follow these steps in order within the next 24-48 hours
- Stop all contact immediately - Block their phone numbers, emails, and social media accounts. Do not respond to any further messages.
- Contact your bank or card issuer right now - Call the number on the back of your card (not any number they gave you). Report the transaction as fraud. Ask about:
- Freezing your account temporarily
- Reversing or disputing the transaction
- Issuing a new card/account number
- Setting up fraud alerts
- Freeze any pending payments - If you used a wire transfer, contact the sending bank immediately. For cryptocurrency, contact the exchange. Time is critical - some transactions can be stopped if caught quickly enough.
- Change all passwords immediately - Start with:
- Email account (most critical)
- Banking and financial accounts
- Any accounts accessed on a compromised device
- Social media accounts
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) - Use an authenticator app, not SMS if possible. This prevents unauthorized access even if they have your password.
- Remove remote access software - Uninstall any software they asked you to install (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, Chrome Remote Desktop, etc.). Follow our device cleanup guide.
- Document everything - Save all:
- Messages, emails, and call logs
- Screenshots of conversations
- Transaction receipts and confirmations
- Phone numbers, email addresses, website URLs
- Names and organizations they claimed to represent
- Report to the platform where contact occurred - If they contacted you through:
- Dating app: Report the profile
- Social media: Report the account
- Online marketplace: Report to the platform
- Email: Mark as phishing/spam
- File a police report - Even if recovery is unlikely, having an official report:
- Creates a paper trail
- May be required for bank disputes
- Helps authorities track patterns
- Protects you if your identity is used in other crimes
- Report to relevant authorities:
- US: FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov)
- UK: Action Fraud
- Canada: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
- Australia: Scamwatch
What NOT To Do
- ✗Don't send more money or "fees" to recover your funds - this is a common follow-up scam
- ✗Don't hire "recovery services" that guarantee to get your money back - most are scams
- ✗Don't share new payment information or additional personal details
- ✗Don't delay taking action - time is critical for stopping transactions
What Happens Next?
Be realistic about recovery: Unfortunately, most scam victims do not recover their money, especially with cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards. However, taking the steps above gives you the best chance and prevents further loss.
Watch for follow-up scams: Scammers often target victims again, claiming they can help recover your money. These are almost always additional scams. Be extremely skeptical of anyone who contacts you offering recovery services. Learn more about recovery scams.
Protect yourself going forward: Learn about the tactics scammers use so you can recognize them in the future. Visit our Learning Hub to understand common patterns, or read our guide on what to do in the first 24 hours after a scam.
Related Resources
This is educational guidance only. We do not recover funds or provide legal/financial advice.
For personalized guidance, consider consulting with a licensed attorney or financial advisor.