I think I’ve been scammed. What do I do now?

Take a breath. You can’t undo what already happened, but acting quickly can limit the damage. Tell us what happened for steps that fit, or work through the general steps below.

What happened?

Pick the closest match. You can come back for anything else that happened.

I clicked a link or opened an attachmentIn a text, an email, an ad, or a pop-up
I paid or sent moneyBy card, bank transfer, app, wire, gift card, crypto, or cash
I gave a password or a verification codeTyped it into a page, or read a code to someone
I shared my Social Security number or IDOr my driver’s license, date of birth, or bank account number
I let someone into my computer or phoneInstalled an app, or gave “tech support” remote access
Someone says they can get my money backA lawyer, agency, or “recovery service” contacted me

Not sure? Do these first

Stop all contact with the scammer. Don’t reply, don’t call back, and don’t send anything else, even if they promise a refund or threaten you.
If you paid, call your bank or card issuer’s fraud line now. Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app, not one from a message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment. The sooner you call, the better your chances.
If you shared a password, change it. Start with your email account, then any account that used the same password. Turn on two-step verification.
If you shared your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov (opens in a new tab) for a recovery plan, and consider a free credit freeze at Equifax (opens in a new tab), Experian (opens in a new tab), and TransUnion (opens in a new tab).
Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (opens in a new tab). If it happened online, you can also report it to the FBI at ic3.gov (opens in a new tab).

Keep a record

Write down what happened while it’s fresh: dates, the names and numbers the scammer used, the website address, and how and how much you paid. Take screenshots of the messages before you delete them. Your bank, the FTC, and the police may ask for these details.

If you’re helping an older relative

Adults 60 and older can call the free, Justice Department–run National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 (1-833-FRAUD-11). A case manager can help work out which agencies to report to. Learn more on the Office for Victims of Crime site (opens in a new tab).