Immediate Steps
- Cease All Communication
- Stop all contact with the scammer immediately.
- Do not respond to further messages, emails, or calls.
- Secure Your Accounts
- Change passwords on all online accounts (email, banking, social media).
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts.
- Report the Scam
- Local Authorities: File a report with your local police department.
- Federal Agencies:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report online at: www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Report cyber-related crimes at: www.ic3.gov
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service: If mail fraud is involved, report at: www.uspis.gov
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): If the scam involves investments, report at: www.sec.gov
- Contact Your Bank or Financial Institution
- Inform your bank, credit card issuer, or payment platform.
- Request to stop or reverse unauthorized transactions.
- Notify Credit Bureaus if a Financial Crime
- Contact major credit bureaus to report fraud and place alerts:
- Consider freezing your credit to prevent new accounts.
- Check for Unauthorized Transactions
- Review bank statements, credit card bills, and other accounts.
- Dispute any fraudulent transactions immediately.
- Scan Your Devices for Malware
- Run a full virus and malware scan on your devices.
- Update your antivirus software and security settings.
- Monitor Your Identity
- Use an identity theft monitoring service or check your credit report regularly.
- Watch for new credit cards, loans, or accounts opened in your name.
- Document Everything
- Communications with the Scammer:
- Save all emails, text messages, and chat logs.
- Take screenshots of conversations, phone numbers, usernames, and email addresses.
- Record dates, times, and contents of any phone calls (if legally allowed).
- Transaction Records:
- Save all receipts, bank statements, and transaction details.
- Document cryptocurrency transactions, including wallet addresses and transaction IDs.
- Keep receipts for cash deposits, noting location and time.
- Reports Filed with Authorities:
- Keep copies of reports filed with police and federal agencies, including case numbers.
- Save confirmation emails or screenshots of submitted reports.
- Correspondence with Financial Institutions:
- Record all communications with banks, credit card companies, or payment platforms.
- Save emails, chat logs, and correspondence records.
- Notifications to Credit Bureaus:
- Keep records of fraud alerts and credit freezes.
- Save confirmation emails or letters from credit bureaus.
- Screenshots of Scam Websites or Social Media Profiles:
- Capture scammer websites, social media profiles, or ads.
- Document URLs and details of the scammer’s online presence.
- Evidence of Malware or Device Compromise:
- Save reports from antivirus scans showing detected malware or suspicious activity.
- Note device changes, unauthorized access, or unusual account behavior.
- Identity Theft or Fraudulent Activity Alerts:
- Keep alerts from identity theft monitoring services.
- Document suspicious activity or unauthorized accounts opened in your name.
- Additional Expenses Incurred:
- Record costs associated with the scam, such as legal fees, monitoring services, or repairs.
- Keep receipts or invoices for related expenses.
- Personal Notes and Timelines:
- Maintain a timeline of scam events and actions taken.
- Note any changes in the scammer’s behavior or contact attempts.
- Seek Support
- Reach out to victim support organizations for guidance and emotional support.
- Contact local consumer protection agencies.
- Consider Purchasing an Identity Theft Protection Program
- Look into services like LifeLock, IdentityGuard, or other similar programs for ongoing monitoring and protection.
- Educate Yourself and Spread Awareness
- Learn about common scams and fraud prevention tips.
- Share your experience to help educate others.
Post-Recovery Actions
- Update Security Settings
- Regularly update security settings on all online accounts.
- Stay Vigilant
- Be wary of unexpected messages, calls, or emails asking for personal information or payments.
Important Notes:
- If the scam involved cryptocurrency, speed and thorough documentation are of the essence! The faster you act, the better the chances of tracing and potentially recovering lost funds.
- Be wary of anyone claiming to be able to recover all of your money for a fee! These are often additional scams that prey on desperate victims. Always verify the legitimacy of recovery services through trusted sources and never pay upfront fees.
