What to Do Right After You Realize You've Been Scammed

Stop the bleeding first, then report

The moment you realize a scam has happened, your first job is to prevent more money from leaving your accounts. If you gave someone your bank details, credit card number, or online passwords, contact your bank or credit card company immediately — before you do anything else. Tell them what happened and ask them to freeze or cancel the account. If the scam involved a wire transfer or money sent through a payment app, call that service right away too. Money that leaves your account in the first few hours is sometimes recoverable; money that sits for days usually is not.

After you've locked down your accounts, write down everything you remember about what happened while it's fresh: the date, time, what you were told, who contacted you, what information you gave them, and how much money moved. Don't worry about organizing it perfectly — just get the facts down. You'll need this for the reports you're about to file, and details fade quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Contact your bank or credit card company within hours of discovering the scam to freeze accounts and stop additional charges.
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov within 24 hours so your information enters the system that helps law enforcement.
• If money was sent by wire transfer or payment app, contact that service's fraud department immediately — some can recall transfers if you act fast enough.
• Report to your local police department if cash was taken in person or if you want an official record for your insurance company.
• Place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to make it harder for someone to open accounts in your name.

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission

The FTC runs ReportFraud.ftc.gov, a national database where you describe what happened. This is not the same as reporting to police, and it does not recover your money, but it does two things that matter: it creates an official record that law enforcement uses to spot patterns, and it gives you a report you can show to your bank, credit card company, or insurance company. The FTC report also includes a recovery plan tailored to your situation.

Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and select the type of scam from the menu. You'll answer questions about what happened, who contacted you, and what information or money changed hands. The whole process takes 10 to 15 minutes. When you're done, you'll get an Identity Theft Report that you can download and print. Keep this document — you may need it later.

Contact your bank and credit card company again, in writing

You called them in the first hour. Now send a written statement of what happened. Use email if they have a fraud email address, or send a letter to the address on the back of your card. Include the date of the scam, the amount, and what you told them on the phone. Keep a copy for yourself. Written reports create a paper trail that protects you if disputes come up later.

Ask your bank or credit card company whether they can reverse the transaction. Some scams — like unauthorized credit card charges — can be disputed and refunded. Others, like wire transfers or money sent through payment apps, are harder to recover. Your bank will tell you what's possible in your situation and what steps come next.

Place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus

A fraud alert tells credit bureaus that someone may be trying to use your name to open accounts. It makes lenders call you to verify before they approve new credit in your name. You only need to contact one of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — and they will notify the other two.

Call Equifax at 1-800-525-6285, Experian at 1-888-397-3742, or TransUnion at 1-800-680-7289. Tell them you want to place a fraud alert. They will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. The alert lasts one year and is free. If you want to renew it after a year, you can call again.

You can also request a free credit report from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com. Check these reports for accounts you don't recognize. If you see fraudulent accounts, dispute them with the bureau that listed them.

Report to police if money was taken in person

If someone came to your home or you met them in person and they took cash or valuables, file a report with your local police department. You can do this in person at the station or by phone, depending on what your department allows. Bring your written notes about what happened, and ask for a copy of the report number when you're done.

If the scammer is still contacting you or threatening you, mention that to the police. Some departments have specialized units for elder fraud, and they may be able to help beyond just taking a report. A police report also gives you documentation if you need to file an insurance claim.

Check whether you need to change passwords

If you gave the scammer your online banking password, email password, or passwords to other accounts, change them now. Use a new password that's different from anything you've used before — at least 12 characters, with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. If you use the same password for multiple accounts, change those too.

If you're not sure what passwords you use or how to change them, ask a trusted family member or friend to help you. Do not write passwords down on paper or in an unencrypted document. If you need to store passwords, use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, which encrypts them.

Tell someone you trust what happened

Scams often work because people feel ashamed and don't tell anyone. Tell a family member, friend, or trusted advisor what happened. They can help you remember details, keep you from making decisions while you're upset, and watch for signs that something else is wrong. If the scammer has your address or phone number, a trusted person can also help you screen calls and mail.

If you live alone or don't have close family nearby, consider telling your doctor or a social worker. They can flag your file so that if you come in confused or upset in the coming weeks, they know what happened and can help you think through next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the bank get my money back if it was a wire transfer?

Wire transfers are harder to reverse than credit card charges, but it's worth asking your bank immediately. If you report it within a few hours, the receiving bank may be able to recall the transfer before it's withdrawn. After that, recovery depends on whether law enforcement can trace the account. Your bank will tell you what's possible.

What if the scammer is still calling or emailing me?

Do not respond, do not give them any new information, and do not send money. Save the messages or write down the phone numbers and times they called. Report the ongoing contact to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your local police. You can also block the phone number or email address.

Do I need to hire a lawyer or pay someone to help me recover the money?

No. The FTC, your bank, and police do not charge you for help. Be very cautious of anyone who calls or emails offering to recover your money for a fee — that is often another scam. Legitimate recovery takes time and is handled by your bank and law enforcement at no cost to you.

How long does it take to get money back?

It depends on the type of scam and how fast you reported it. Credit card disputes can take 30 to 90 days. Wire transfers and payment app transfers rarely come back, even with a police report. Your bank will give you a timeline once they review your case.

What if I'm worried about identity theft after this?

The fraud alert you placed with the credit bureaus is your first line of defense. Check your credit reports every few months for accounts you don't recognize. If you see fraudulent accounts, dispute them with the credit bureau. You can also consider a credit freeze, which makes it even harder for someone to open accounts in your name — ask your bank or credit bureau how to set one up.