Unfortunately, people getting scammed online is a frequent event. Scammers are getting better at social engineering and are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to sound more authentic and eliminate any spelling errors.
It really can happen to anyone, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed if you have been scammed. Importantly, acting quickly can limit the damage. So here are some things you can do if you’ve been scammed.
1. Stop all communication immediately
Cut off contact with the scammer. Don’t reply to messages or calls, as this can prevent further manipulation or requests for even more money or information.
2. Secure your accounts
Change the passwords on all your online accounts, especially financial and email accounts. Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. Start with the ones the scammer may have gained access to, but don’t stop there and check all your important accounts as well.
3. Monitor your financial statements
Check your bank, credit card, and payment service accounts for unauthorized transactions. Report suspicious activity to your banks and credit card company immediately to freeze or reverse fraudulent charges. Let them know what went down and find out how they can help you.
4. Avoid sponsored search results
It’s really important that you don’t click on sponsored search results when searching for help with resolving a scam. This kind of topic is seen by scammers as a perfect opportunity to scam you even more and they are known to outbid the rightful owners of certain brands. If you’re using a search engine, type the domain name yourself or scroll down to the regular search results.
5. Place fraud alerts and check credit reports
Contact credit bureaus to place fraud alerts on your file. This warns lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts. Regularly review your credit reports for unfamiliar activity. If this is an option where you live, add a security freeze, more commonly called a credit freeze, to all of your credit reports for free.
- In the US, for a credit freeze contact Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
- In Canada, for credit monitoring and alerts contact Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada.
- In the UK, for credit reports and monitoring contact Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion UK.
6. Try to recover your lost funds
Sadly, recovering your lost funds will not always be possible. However, you may have some options:
- If you paid the scammer by credit card, request a chargeback through your card provider.
- If you paid via bank transfer or wire, contact your bank immediately since they may be able to initiate a recall in some cases.
- If you sent the money via payment apps (e.g. PayPal, Venmo, Cash App), contact the provider to inquire about recovery options.
Never fall for people that claim they can recover payments in cryptocurrencies. These are known as recovery scams.
7. Gather evidence
Keep all records related to the scam: emails, texts, receipts, screenshots, and any communication details. This documentation supports investigations and helps law enforcement track scammers.
8. Scan your device
If you clicked any links or downloaded something during the course of the scam, make sure to scan your device with an antimalware solution. The scammer could have planted something for later use.
9. Report the scam
Reporting is crucial. It helps authorities track criminal patterns and may assist in recovering lost funds. Report to the appropriate national agencies, local police, and the platform where the scam occurred. For more details, see our article on how to report online scams.
10. Set up ongoing protection
Firstly, make sure to protect your device with a security solution like Malwarebytes Premium. Then, protect yourself in the browser using our free Browser Guard. Finally, if you want to check if something is a scam, Scam Guard—our new feature in Malwarebytes Mobile Security—allows you to upload a text, email, or DM to find out if it’s legit or a scam.
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