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I Think I Was Scammed

5 minute read

Don't panic. Let's limit the damage and get you protected.

First: take a breath. This happens to smart people every day. Scammers are professionals—it’s their full-time job to trick people. What matters now is what you do next.

Do These Things Right Now

If you gave payment information or sent money

Credit or debit card

  1. Call your bank immediately (number on back of card)
  2. Tell them the transaction was fraud
  3. They can often stop or reverse it
  4. Ask about a new card number

Wire transfer (Western Union, MoneyGram)

  1. Contact the wire service immediately
  2. Request a recall—it may work if caught quickly
  3. File a complaint with them

Gift cards

  1. Contact the gift card company immediately
  2. Keep the physical cards and receipts
  3. Some companies may be able to freeze remaining funds

Cryptocurrency

Unfortunately, crypto transactions are very difficult to reverse. Still report it—there’s a small chance of recovery and it helps catch scammers.

Payment apps (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App)

  1. Report the transaction as fraud in the app
  2. Contact your bank if linked to your account
  3. These are often difficult to reverse but try anyway

If you gave login credentials (usernames/passwords)

  1. Change that password NOW — Go directly to the site (type the address, don’t click any links)
  2. Change it everywhere else you used it — Same password on other sites? Change all of them
  3. Enable two-factor authentication — Here’s how →
  4. Check for unauthorized activity — Look for purchases, messages sent, settings changed

If you gave personal information

Social Security Number:

  1. Freeze your credit at all three bureaus:
  2. This is free and prevents new accounts being opened in your name

Driver’s license or ID:

  1. Contact your state DMV about potential fraud
  2. Consider a fraud alert on your credit

For any personal information:

  1. Set up fraud alerts
  2. Monitor your bank accounts weekly
  3. Watch for unexpected mail about accounts you didn’t open

Document Everything

Save this information now—you’ll need it for reports and potential recovery:

  • Screenshots of messages, emails, websites
  • Phone numbers that called you
  • Any names the scammer used
  • Receipts and transaction records
  • Dates and times of contact
  • How you found or were contacted by them

Report the Scam

Reporting helps catch scammers and warns others:

Where to Report What For
FTC ReportFraud.ftc.gov Any scam
FBI IC3 ic3.gov Internet crimes
Your state attorney general Local investigation
Local police Significant financial losses
The platform where it happened Gets scammer banned

It’s Not Your Fault

Scammers are professionals. They study human psychology. They know exactly which buttons to push. Being scammed doesn’t mean you’re stupid—it means someone deliberately and skillfully manipulated you.

Many scam victims are intelligent, educated people. The scammers specifically target qualities like helpfulness, trust, and responsiveness.

What matters now is taking action to protect yourself going forward.

Next Steps