A 72-Hour Action Plan: What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

Discovering you have been scammed can be a deeply upsetting experience. It is normal to feel angry, embarrassed, or frightened. But it is vital to channel those feelings into immediate, methodical action. The faster you act, the better you can limit the damage and begin the recovery process.

This is not a time for blame; it is a time for a clear, calm plan. Here is a worked example of what to do in the first three days.

Day 0: The First Few Hours After Discovery

Your goal in this initial phase is damage control. You need to cut off the scammer’s access to your money and accounts as quickly as possible.

Step 1: Contact Your Financial Institutions. This is your top priority. Do not use a number from an email or a web search. Call the official phone number printed on the back of your debit card, credit card, or on a recent bank statement.

Tell the representative, “I need to report fraudulent activity on my account.” Explain clearly what happened. They will immediately take steps to lock the account, cancel the card, and investigate any fraudulent transactions.

If you paid via wire transfer or gift card, report it to the company that facilitated it (e.g., Western Union, the gift card brand), though recovery is much less likely.

Step 2: Change Your Most Critical Passwords. While on the phone with your bank or immediately after, use a separate, secure device to change the passwords for any online accounts involved in the scam. Your first priority should be your primary email account, as it is often the key to resetting other passwords.

Then, change the password for any compromised financial accounts.

Day 1: The Next 24 Hours

Now that you have stopped the immediate bleeding, your goal is to create an official record of the crime and protect your identity from further harm.

Step 3: File Official Reports. An official report is crucial for law enforcement and can be necessary for resolving disputes with financial institutions. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Their website has a simple reporting tool.

If the scam occurred online, also file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). If the scam involved impersonation of a government agency, report it to them as well, such as the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the IRS.

Step 4: Place a Credit Freeze or Fraud Alert. If you have not already done so, this is the time to protect your credit. Place a credit freeze with all three bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This will prevent anyone from opening new lines of credit in your name.

Day 2 and 3: The Following 48 Hours

With the immediate crisis managed, your focus shifts to monitoring and vigilance.

Step 5: Monitor All Your Accounts. Keep a very close watch on every single one of your financial accounts and credit card statements for the next several weeks. Report any new suspicious activity to the respective institution immediately.

Step 6: Watch Out for Recovery Scams. Be extremely wary of anyone who contacts you claiming they can help you recover your lost money for an upfront fee. This is a very common secondary scam that preys on victims.

Legitimate law enforcement and financial institutions will not contact you and ask for money to help you.

Remember, taking these steps is a sign of strength and resilience. Reporting the crime helps not only you but also provides authorities with the information they need to protect your community.