I Got Scammed — Exactly What to Do Now (Step by Step)

Illustration: aiscamspotter

If you've just realized you were scammed, take a breath. What you do in the next hours matters more than what already happened, and there are clear, simple steps that can limit the damage — and sometimes recover your money.

Being scammed is not a sign of weakness or stupidity. Today's scams are professional operations designed to fool careful, intelligent people. The shame you may feel is exactly what scammers count on to keep you silent. Reporting and acting fast is the strong choice.

This guide walks you through what to do right now, step by step, in plain language — whatever kind of scam it was.

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First steps in the first 24 hours

Move through these as soon as you can — the order is roughly by urgency:

1. If you sent money, contact your bank, card issuer, or payment app immediately and ask them to stop or reverse the payment and flag your account. Speed is everything.

2. If you shared a password, change it now on the real site, and change it anywhere else you used the same one. Turn on two-factor authentication.

3. If you gave card or bank details, ask your bank to freeze and reissue the card and watch for unauthorized charges.

4. If you gave remote access to your computer, disconnect from the internet and run a security scan, or get help from a trusted technician.

5. If you shared your Social Security number, consider a free credit freeze and watch for identity theft (see below).

6. Save all evidence — screenshots, messages, receipts, names, numbers, and amounts. You'll need them to report.

How to report a scam (and why it helps)

Reporting won't always recover your money, but it helps investigators shut scammers down and can support your bank claim. Report to the right places:

Federal Trade Commission (FTC): reportfraud.ftc.gov — the main place to report any scam in the U.S.
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): ic3.gov — for online fraud, including crypto, romance, and investment scams.
Your bank or card issuer: to dispute charges and protect your accounts.
The platform it happened on — the dating app, marketplace, social network, or email provider.
For scam texts: forward them to 7726 (SPAM).
For identity theft: identitytheft.gov gives you a personalized recovery plan.

Keep a copy of every report confirmation. If you ever recover funds through your bank, these reports often support your case.

Protecting your identity and accounts

If the scammer got personal information, take steps to lock things down:

Freeze your credit for free with all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). A freeze stops anyone from opening new accounts in your name and can be lifted anytime.
Place a fraud alert as an easier alternative — it asks lenders to verify your identity before granting credit.
Change passwords on important accounts, starting with email and banking, and make each one unique.
Turn on two-factor authentication everywhere it's offered.
Watch your statements and credit report closely for several months. You're entitled to free credit reports at annualcreditreport.com.
Report identity theft at identitytheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan tailored to what was taken.

Beware of recovery scams (the second wave)

Here's something every scam victim needs to know: after you've been scammed, you may be targeted again by a "recovery" scam. Someone will contact you claiming to be a refund agency, a lawyer, a government agent, or even a fellow victim who knows how to get your money back — for an upfront fee.

This is a scam too. Scammers sell lists of people who've already been victimized, knowing they're desperate to recover losses.

Protect yourself with these rules:

No legitimate recovery service asks for an upfront fee to get your money back.
Government agencies never charge you to help, and they won't call you out of the blue offering refunds.
Never pay with gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers to "unlock" or "release" a recovered sum.
Be suspicious of anyone who contacts you first about recovering your money.

Legitimate help comes through your bank and through official reporting at reportfraud.ftc.gov — never through a stranger demanding payment.

Frequently asked questions

I just got scammed — what's the very first thing to do?

If you sent money or shared financial details, contact your bank, card issuer, or payment app immediately and ask them to stop or reverse the payment and protect your account. Acting within the first hours gives you the best chance of recovering funds. Then change any exposed passwords and save all evidence.

Can I get my money back after being scammed?

Sometimes, especially if you act fast and paid by credit card or through your bank. Credit cards and some bank transfers can be disputed or recalled. Gift cards, crypto, and wire transfers are much harder to recover. Contact your bank right away and report the scam to reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Where do I report a scam in the United States?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov for any scam, and to the FBI at ic3.gov for online fraud. Forward scam texts to 7726. If your identity was stolen, go to identitytheft.gov for a recovery plan. Also notify your bank and the platform where it happened.

Should I freeze my credit after a scam?

If the scammer got your Social Security number or enough personal details to open accounts, yes. A credit freeze is free at all three bureaus, stops new accounts being opened in your name, and can be lifted anytime. A fraud alert is a lighter-touch alternative if you prefer.

Someone offered to help me recover my lost money — is that real?

Almost certainly another scam. "Recovery" services that contact you and demand an upfront fee, gift cards, or crypto are preying on scam victims. No legitimate agency charges to recover your money, and the government never calls offering refunds for a fee. Work only through your bank and official reporting.