untrappable

I got scammed — what to do now

Editorially reviewed · Last updated July 15, 2026

Take a breath. Acting in the first hour or two limits how far this goes, but even days later most of these steps still help — and this is not your fault; these operations are professional. The single most important move is to stop the money, then secure your accounts, then report it. Work down the list in order.

1. Stop the money

How you paid decides your first call — make it now.

  • Card or bank transfer: call your bank or card issuer using the number on the back of your card (not a number anyone gave you). Say you were scammed and ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction, and watch for more.
  • Payment app (Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, PayPal): report the transaction in the app and contact your bank — the sooner, the better the odds.
  • Wire transfer: call the wire company right away (MoneyGram 1‑800‑926‑9400, Western Union 1‑800‑448‑1492) or your bank, and ask them to reverse it.
  • Gift card: contact the company that issued the card, tell them it was used in a scam, and keep the card and receipt. The FTC's what to do if you were scammed lists the contacts by payment type. Recovery isn't guaranteed, but speed is everything.

2. Secure your accounts

If you entered a password or gave access, assume it's compromised.

  • Change the password on anything they touched — start with your email, since it's the master key to resetting everything else, then your bank and any account that shared that password.
  • Turn on two-factor authentication (a code by app or text) everywhere you can.
  • If you gave someone remote access to your device, disconnect from the internet, uninstall anything they had you install, run a security scan, and change your passwords from a different device if possible.

3. If you shared personal information

If you handed over a Social Security number, bank details, or a driver's license, treat it as an identity-theft risk.

  • Report it and get a free recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov — the FTC walks you through exactly what to do for your situation.
  • Freeze your credit at all three bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). It's free, it stops new accounts being opened in your name, and you can lift it in minutes when you need to.
  • See our step-by-step on how to report identity theft.

4. Report it and write it down

Reporting won't always recover money, but it flags the operation and protects the next person.

  • File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  • Write down what happened while it's fresh: dates, amounts, phone numbers, names, and screenshots. You'll need this for your bank and any report.

5. Watch for the second wave

Scammers often come back — sometimes posing as your bank, the police, or a "recovery" service that offers to get your money back for a fee. That's the same scam wearing a new mask; a real agency will never charge you to recover funds. If someone contacts you promising to reverse the loss, treat it as a fresh scam and check it against our Scams A–Z.

Untrappable · Public service advisory

Stop the next one at the source

You got this because your details are on lists that get bought, sold, and leaked. You can't unspill that, but you can make it useless to a scammer. Start with the free steps — they do most of the work.

Optional — if you'd rather it was handled for you

If you'd rather have it watched for you, an identity-protection service monitors your accounts, SSN, and the dark web, warns you the moment something new appears, and helps you recover if someone gets through.

See identity protection →

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Frequently asked

I just got scammed — what's the very first thing to do?
Stop the money. Call your bank or card issuer on the number printed on your card (not one the scammer gave you) and ask them to freeze the card and reverse the payment. If you paid by wire, gift card, or app, contact that service immediately — the FTC lists the right contact for each payment type. Acting in the first hour gives you the best chance of getting funds back.
Can I get my money back after a scam?
Sometimes — it depends on how you paid and how fast you act. Card and bank payments have the best odds of a reversal or chargeback; wires and gift cards are harder but still worth chasing immediately. There's no guarantee, and anyone who promises to recover your money for an upfront fee is running a second scam. Report the original loss at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
I gave a scammer my Social Security number — what now?
Go to IdentityTheft.gov to report it and get a free, personalized recovery plan, then place a free credit freeze with all three bureaus so no one can open new accounts in your name. Watch your bank and card statements closely. Our guide to reporting identity theft has the full steps.
Is being scammed my fault?
No. These are professional operations that engineer urgency and fear to override anyone's judgment — that's why they work on smart, careful people every day. Shame keeps victims silent, and silence is exactly what scammers rely on. Focus on the steps above, and tell someone you trust.

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