What to do if you've been scammed

Getting scammed can feel awful. You might feel embarrassed, angry, or scared. But it happens to a lot of people, and it is not your fault. Scammers are professionals. They are very good at tricking people. What matters most right now is what you do next.

Step 1: Stop all contact with the scammer.

Do not send more money. Do not share more personal information. Block the phone number, email address, or social media account if you can. Scammers often come back pretending to help you recover your loss. That is a second scam.

Step 2: Write down what happened.

While it is fresh in your mind, write down the details. Note the dates, amounts of money, names used, phone numbers, websites, and anything else you remember. Take screenshots if you still have them. You will need this information when you report the scam.

Step 3: Report it.

Reporting helps stop the scammer from hurting someone else. Here are the main places to report:

• FTC (Federal Trade Commission): Go to reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is the main federal agency that tracks scams.
• Your state attorney general: Search your state name plus "attorney general" to find their website.
• The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Go to ic3.gov if the scam happened online.
• Your local police: File a police report, especially if a lot of money was involved. Ask for a copy of the report number.

You may not get your money back just by reporting. But your report helps investigators spot patterns and catch scammers.

Step 4: Contact your bank or payment app right away.

If you sent money through a bank transfer or debit card, call your bank immediately and explain what happened. Ask if they can stop or reverse the transaction. Time matters a lot here. The sooner you call, the better your chances.

If you used a payment app like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle, contact their support right away. These apps often have fraud reporting options in the app itself.

If you used a credit card, call the number on the back of the card. Credit cards have stronger fraud protections than debit cards or cash. You may be able to dispute the charge.

If you used gift cards or wire transfers, recovery is very hard. But still report it. Some companies have been able to help in certain cases.

Step 5: Protect your personal information.

If you gave out your Social Security number, bank account numbers, or passwords, take action fast.

• Change your passwords on any accounts that might be affected.
• Place a free fraud alert with one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. They are required to notify the other two.
• Consider placing a free credit freeze. A freeze makes it very hard for someone to open new accounts in your name.
• Check your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Step 6: Watch out for recovery scams.

After a scam, some people are targeted again. Someone may contact you claiming they can get your money back for a fee. This is almost always another scam. Legitimate government agencies do not charge fees to help you.

Step 7: Take care of yourself.

Being scammed is stressful. It can affect your mental health. Talk to someone you trust. If you are feeling overwhelmed, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) offers free, confidential support. You can also visit SAMHSA.gov for more mental health resources.

You are not alone. Many people have been through this and gotten through it. Taking these steps, even small ones, puts you back in control.