Think You've Been Scammed? Take These 5 Steps ASAP

A woman sits at a desk using a laptop and appears thoughtful; next to her, a hand places several dollar bills into a bucket, hinting at the unsettling realization that you've been scammed.

Scammers are good at what they do, and by many accounts, they’re only getting better. According to the FBI, Americans lost $16 billion to internet crimes in 2024, with the biggest losses reported by adults over 60.

If you’ve been scammed (or suspect you may have been), taking quick action can limit the damage and help you recover faster. This simple step-by-step guide will walk you through how to protect yourself and minimize further losses after falling victim to a scam.

5 Things You Should Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

A woman sits at a desk with a laptop, looking at a credit card and organizing her wallet, checking for suspicious activity after realizing you've been scammed.

1. Stay Calm And Gather Information

Before doing anything else, take a deep breath. It’ll be easier to prevent further losses or damage if you stay calm and focused.

Next, gather any information you have that’s relevant to what happened. This may include:

Screenshots of messages, emails, or transactions
Names, phone numbers, or email addresses used by the scammer
Details about what you shared (e.g., passwords, bank info, personal information)

Making a clear record of these details will help with all the following steps.

A person holding an open wallet with cash, credit cards, and an ID sits at a desk next to a laptop—checking, perhaps, if you've been scammed.

2. Protect Your Money

If you shared your financial information (or think a scammer may have accessed it somehow), act quickly to secure your accounts and protect your money.

Credit Cards

If you believe a scammer has access to your credit card number, call the customer service line on the back of your card. Ask to freeze or cancel the card and dispute any suspicious charges.

Bank Accounts

If your account information has been compromised, contact your bank and ask them to freeze your account. You can also ask them to monitor for suspicious activity and open a new account for you if needed.

Gift Cards, Cryptocurrency, Etc.

If you purchased gift cards or cryptocurrency, contact the retailer you purchased from to see if you can get your money back. If the funds on a gift card haven’t been used yet, you may be able to get the amount refunded. (Getting your money back in these situations is likely a long shot, but it’s worth a try!)

A person with pink nail polish uses a smartphone app showing a list of saved passwords on the left screen and a

3. Secure Your Accounts

If you shared any of your account passwords or personal information or entered them on a suspicious site, it’s important to secure those accounts without delay.

Change affected passwords immediately. Start with important accounts like email, banking, and social media. When you set a new password, choose one at least 12 characters long and avoid reusing old ones. A password manager (like LastPass, 1Password, etc.) can make this easy.

Enable two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection when you log in to your accounts online, like entering a time-sensitive code sent to you via text or email. You can usually enable 2FA in your account settings.

Scan your device for malware. If you clicked on any suspicious links or gave someone remote access to your device, use trusted antivirus software to scan your device for malware. (If you’re not sure you can handle this yourself, take your device to a computer repair shop that offers malware removal services.)

A laptop displays the ReportFraud.ftc.gov homepage on a blue background, featuring prompts to report if you've been scammed, along with illustrated buildings, people, a car, and a shield icon.

4. Report The Scam

It’s important to report scams, and not just for your own protection! Scam reports could potentially help authorities track down scammers or aid in the development of new safeguards.

Here’s where you can report scams:

Federal Trade Commission: Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov to file a report with the FTC.
Banks/Credit Card Company: Call the phone number on your statements or the company’s official website.
Local Police Department: You may not be able to get your money back, but your report may help police if they’re building a case.
Better Business Bureau: Submit a report to the BBB Scam Tracker to aid the Better Business Bureau with scam research and education initiatives.

A person holding a smartphone with an incoming call from

5. Talk To Someone

It never feels good to get taken advantage of, but staying silent out of shame only gives scammers more power. Sharing your experience with someone you trust — whether a family member, friend, or professional — can help you process the experience and start to rebuild your confidence. You might even inspire other scam victims to speak up about their own experience!

Remember: Getting scammed doesn’t make you foolish, and it’s never your fault. Asking for help and sharing your story with others are acts of courage, not weakness.

Conclusion

Taking even a single step forward in the aftermath of a scam — whether by freezing a card, changing a password, or submitting a report — is a step toward empowerment and away from helplessness. Being lied to or stolen from (or both) can wound your confidence, but by taking the steps I outlined above, it won’t keep you down for long!

Have you ever been targeted by a scammer?