Being scammed online can leave you feeling shocked, vulnerable, and overwhelmed — but you’re not alone. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to online scams in 2023, an increase of 22% from the previous year. While discovering you’ve been targeted can be scary, knowing what to do if you get scammed can help you save whatever assets you can and protect yourself from further damage. Our team at StreamSafely will walk you through the immediate steps you should take and provide resources to help you recover.
I’ve Been Scammed — Now What?
The moments immediately after realizing you’ve been scammed are the most important. Taking action quickly can help minimize financial losses, protect your identity, and prevent the scammer from causing additional harm. Here’s a breakdown of the steps you should take as quickly as possible:
Step 1: Stop Communication With the Scammer
Once you realize you’re dealing with a scammer, stop all communication immediately. Hang up the phone, exit the chat, and close the browser. Do not click any links, download any content, or look at anything they send you. Scammers often use social engineering techniques to establish trust and manipulate their victims into sending them money or personal information, like bank account numbers, contact information, or social security numbers. Remember that any further engagement only puts you at greater risk.
If you’ve been communicating through email, mark the scammer’s address as spam and move all related messages to a separate folder or label to use as documentation later. If the communication happened through social media or messaging apps, block the scammer’s accounts. Don’t move any emails into the trash or delete any DMs — you’ll need them when you submit a report. As a failsafe, take screenshots of all communication, especially those that may auto-refresh and vanish after a certain time limit.
Step 2: Secure Your Accounts and Devices
Change your passwords immediately, starting with your email account and financial services. Create strong, unique passwords for each account, and consider using a password manager to keep track of them. If you used the same or similar passwords across multiple accounts, change those as well, since the scammer might try to access them.
Then, run an antivirus scan on all your devices. Scammers often use phishing attacks to install malware that can continue collecting your information even after the initial scam. Enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible to add an extra layer of protection to your accounts.
Step 3: Report the Fraud to the Appropriate Authorities
No type of scam should be considered too small or too embarrassing to report. Be sure to file claims with multiple government agencies to create an official record of the fraud:
- FTC: File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). For identity theft, use IdentityTheft.gov. For other scams or fraud, use ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
- IC3: Submit a complaint to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- BBB: File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker.
- Consumer Protection: Report the scam to your state’s consumer protection office.
- Local Law Enforcement: Report the incident to your local police department, especially if you believe the fraudster is operating in your region.
Keep copies of all report numbers and correspondence for your records. While you may not recover your lost money immediately, these reports help authorities track scammer patterns, which can greatly increase the likelihood of eventual prosecution.
Step 4: Contact Your Financial Institutions to Freeze or Reverse Transactions
Time is of the essence when it comes to financial fraud. Contact your bank, credit card companies, and any other financial institutions where you have accounts immediately. If you’ve sent money to the scammer:
- Request a freeze on your accounts to prevent unauthorized transactions
- Dispute any fraudulent charges
- Ask about the possibility of reversing wire transfers or other transactions
- Cancel any compromised credit or debit cards and request replacements
- Review recent transactions for any suspicious activity you might have missed
Many financial institutions have specific fraud departments that can guide you through their recovery processes and implement additional protections for your account.
Step 5: Contact Credit Bureaus
Reach out to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to place a fraud alert on your credit reports. The alert typically lasts for one year and makes it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You only need to contact one bureau — they’re required to inform the other two.
Additionally, you can consider placing a credit freeze, which provides even stronger protection by preventing anyone from accessing your credit reports. This makes it virtually impossible for scammers to open new accounts in your name, though you’ll need to temporarily lift the freeze when you want to apply for credit yourself.
Step 6: Check for Identity Theft
Monitor your credit reports closely for any suspicious activity. Under federal law, you’re entitled to free, weekly credit reports from each bureau through AnnualCreditReport.com. Keep an eye out for:
- Accounts you don’t recognize
- Hard inquiries you didn’t authorize
- Addresses where you’ve never lived
- Employers you’ve never worked for
If you find evidence of identity theft, follow the recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov. The site provides customized steps based on your situation and generates pre-filled forms and letters to send to companies.
Step 7: Document Everything
Create a detailed record of the scam and your recovery efforts:
- Save all communication with the scammer
- Keep copies of financial statements showing fraudulent transactions
- Document conversations with law enforcement and financial institutions
- Save confirmation numbers and copies of all fraud reports
- Take screenshots of relevant websites or social media profiles
- Keep a timeline of events and actions you’ve taken
This documentation will be valuable if law enforcement needs to investigate or if you need to prove fraud to your financial institutions.
How to Protect Yourself From Future Scams
While recovering from a scam is challenging, you can take steps to protect yourself from future fraud attempts. Understanding common scam tactics, like gift card scams and elder fraud, can help you avoid potential threats.
First and foremost, learn how to spot the warning signs. Just as digital pirates use predictable tactics to lure victims in, scammers share a common playbook to try to catch you off guard. If someone makes unsolicited contact, pressures you to act quickly, requests unusual payment methods, or makes promises that sound too good to be true, take a step back and evaluate the situation carefully.
Always verify the authenticity of requests for personal information or money, even if they appear to come from trusted sources. Contact organizations directly using the phone numbers or email addresses on their official websites. Never click on, follow, or use the information provided in a potentially fraudulent message.
Next, keep your software and operating systems updated and practice the latest cybersecurity tips. Monitor your accounts regularly for suspicious activity, and consider setting up alerts for unusual transactions.
Remember that legitimate companies never ask for sensitive information through unsolicited emails or messages. If you receive unexpected requests for personal data or financial information, verify the source through official channels.
Find More Resources to Protect Yourself With StreamSafely
When it comes to potential fraud, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We offer a library of resources to help you stay informed about the latest scams and protect yourself online. Our educational materials cover everything from identifying common fraud tactics to maintaining your digital safety.
Staying informed about current risks and maintaining good security practices in the face of piracy and fraud is your best defense against loss. While no one is completely immune to scams, taking preventive measures significantly reduces your risk of becoming a victim. Protect yourself by using StreamSafely as your go-to resource.
