Discovering you've been scammed is stressful and disheartening. But acting quickly and methodically can help you minimize damage, potentially recover your money, and prevent the scammers from victimizing others. Here's your step-by-step recovery guide.
Immediate Actions (First 24 Hours)
1. Stop All Communication with the Scammer
Don't respond to any further messages, even if they promise to "fix" the situation or offer refunds. Further contact only provides them more opportunities to exploit you.
2. Secure Your Accounts
If you shared login credentials, immediately:
- Change passwords on all affected accounts
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Check for unauthorized changes to your account settings
- Change passwords on any accounts using the same credentials
3. Contact Your Bank or Payment Provider
Call immediately—don't wait. Report the fraudulent transaction and:
- Credit Card: Request a chargeback (you typically have 60-120 days)
- Debit Card: Report fraud immediately (liability increases after 2 days)
- Bank Transfer: Contact both banks; recovery is possible if caught quickly
- PayPal/Venmo: Open a dispute through the platform
4. Document Everything
Preserve all evidence of the scam:
- Screenshot all communications
- Save emails with full headers
- Record the website URL and take screenshots
- Keep receipts and transaction records
- Note dates, times, and amounts
Reporting the Scam
5. File Official Reports
Report the scam to relevant authorities:
- FTC (US): ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- IC3 (US): FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Action Fraud (UK): actionfraud.police.uk
- Local Police: File a report for your records
- State Attorney General: Many have consumer protection divisions
6. Report to Relevant Platforms
Help prevent others from being victimized:
- Report the website to Google Safe Browsing
- Report fake social media accounts
- Leave reviews on scam-tracking websites
- Report to the platform where you found the scam
Recovery Options
7. Chargeback Process
If you paid by credit card, the chargeback process is your best recovery option:
- Contact your credit card company
- Explain the situation and provide evidence
- The bank investigates and may issue provisional credit
- Process typically takes 30-90 days
8. Consider Identity Theft Protection
If you shared personal information, take these steps:
- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports
- Consider a credit freeze
- Monitor your credit reports regularly
- Watch for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries
Beware of Recovery Scams
Important: Scammers often target previous victims with "recovery" scams, promising to get your money back for a fee. These are always fraudulent. No legitimate company can guarantee recovery, and government agencies don't charge for help.
Moving Forward
9. Learn and Share
Don't blame yourself—scammers are professionals at manipulation. Instead:
- Learn what red flags you might have missed
- Share your experience to warn others
- Consider it a lesson, not a failure
10. Protect Yourself Going Forward
Implement better security practices:
- Use our website trust checker before making purchases
- Enable transaction alerts on your accounts
- Use virtual credit card numbers for online shopping
- Trust your instincts—if it feels wrong, it probably is
You're Not Alone
Millions of people fall victim to online scams every year. What matters is how you respond. By taking quick action and reporting the fraud, you protect yourself and help prevent others from becoming victims.