Falling into a scam is a distressing experience that can leave you feeling hopeless, confused, and unsure of what to do next. Whether it’s an online phishing attempt, a fraudulent phone call, or an investment scheme that betrayed your trust, recognizing a scam is the first step. Knowing what to do immediately afterward is equally important to minimize losses and protect yourself.
This guide will explain the most common situations you may face after being scammed and outline the essential steps to take if you suspect fraud, helping you recover and regain control.
Situation 1: If You Accidentally Paid a Scammer
If you have accidentally paid a scammer, then follow these immediate steps:
- Contact your credit card company or bank immediately to report the suspicious charge.
- Request a reversal of the transaction to your bank. Many banks have specific timelines for reporting fraud, so this action is crucial for reversing the wire transfer to get your money back.
- Report the situation to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This helps the FTC track scam trends and take action against scammers.
- If you pay with a gift card, make sure you have the gift card and the receipt. Immediately contact the gift card company and notify them that you have been scammed. Request them to refund the money.
- If the scam involves a wire transfer or cryptocurrency, contact the relevant service provider, such as Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, or the cryptocurrency platform.
Note: If you paid with cryptocurrency, recovery is almost impossible unless the scammer willingly returns the money.
Situation 2: If You Shared Your Sensitive Information
If your personal information was compromised, scammers may use your information to commit other crimes or to impersonate you. If you want to avoid such situations, consider the following steps:
- If the scam involves a debit card, your bank may block the card and issue a new one.
- Place a credit freeze on your credit report by contacting major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to prevent scammers from opening new accounts in your name.
- Regularly monitor your bank statements, credit reports, and online accounts for unauthorized activity.
- If you want extra security, you can sign up for an identity theft protection service.
- Scammers may try to log into your accounts using the information you provided. Change your password right away to a new and unique one.
Situation 3: If a Scammer Has Access to Your Computer or Phone
To check if scammers are remotely accessing your computer, look for signs of unusual activity, inspect logs, and perform the following actions immediately:
- Act fast to minimize damage.
- Shut down your internet connection immediately to prevent further access.
- Use a different, secure device to change passwords for all potentially compromised accounts, including email, banking, and social media.
- Run a full system scan with reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to identify and eliminate any malicious software.
- If the scammer installed malware or you’re unsure about the extent of the damage, consider restoring your device to factory settings.
- If the scam occurred on a social media platform, use their reporting tools to flag the scammer’s account.
- Contact your local police department if you have any information about the scammer.
Protect Yourself From Future Scams
Since scams are rising daily, everyone should stay aware and also inform their family and friends about common tactics.
- Be cautious of unsolicited messages or calls, especially if they’re asking for personal information or money.
- Learn about common scams and how to recognize them to avoid future incidents.
- Always verify the legitimacy of requests for payment or information before responding.
- Never open any suspicious email from people or organisations you don’t know.
- Always use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on important accounts for added security.
- Ensure your operating system, antivirus, and other software are updated with the latest security patches.
- Regularly have a glance at your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my money back if I paid a scammer?
Yes, it might be possible to get your money back if you paid a scammer, but it totally depends on the payment method and how quickly you act. Banks and credit card companies may reverse unauthorized transactions if reported promptly, and some may issue a provisional credit while investigating. However, recovering money lost through wire transfers or cryptocurrency gift cards can be more challenging.
What to do if a scammer has my phone number?
Yes, you must be concerned if a scammer has your mobile number. While it might seem like just another piece of contact information, a scammer can use it to carry out various harmful activities. This includes SIM swap attacks, where they try to take control of your phone number by impersonating you to your mobile carrier. They may intercept password reset requests or use your number to target you and your contacts with phone and text scams.
How do I deactivate remote access?
To deactivate remote access, open your System’s Control Panel and then System and Security. Then, uncheck “Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer” and select “Don’t allow remote connections to this computer”.
If you use other remote access tools like Chrome Remote Desktop, uninstall them. Check your firewall settings and disable any rules that allow remote desktop connections. If using remote access through your router, adjust port forwarding rules to block remote desktop connections.