If you suspect financial fraud, phishing, or any online scam, act quickly. This guide walks you through securing accounts, documenting evidence, and reporting to authorities.
What to do, by timeframe
First 1 hour
- Call your bank using the number on the back of your card and ask for a fraud freeze on affected accounts.
- If you sent money via Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App, open a dispute in-app and call the bank that funded the transfer.
- If you gave a password or one-time code, change passwords on the affected account and your email.
- Take screenshots of every message, profile, and transaction before blocking or deleting.
1 – 24 hours
- Turn on two-factor authentication on email, banking, and any account that touches your money.
- If you shared your SSN, place a free fraud alert or credit freeze with all three bureaus.
- File at reportfraud.ftc.gov and, if the scam was online, at ic3.gov.
- File a local police report — your bank may require the report number to process a fraud claim.
24 – 72 hours
- Review the last 90 days of statements on every account; dispute anything you didn't authorize.
- If identity theft is possible, start a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.
- Report the scam on the platform where it began (dating app, marketplace, social network, email provider).
- Watch for recovery-room scams — fraudsters target recent victims.
Phone numbers to keep handy
- FTC consumer help: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) · or file online at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 1-877-908-3360 (free, open to anyone of any age)
- Identity theft recovery plan: identitytheft.gov
- Equifax credit freeze: 1-800-685-1111
- Experian credit freeze: 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion credit freeze: 1-888-909-8872
- Social Security Fraud Hotline (OIG): 1-800-269-0271
- FBI tip line (online fraud): ic3.gov
Reminder: No legitimate agency above will ever ask for payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to "recover" your money.
Before you start: what matters in the first 24 hours
Speed helps, but panic helps scammers more. The goal in the first day is to stop further loss, preserve evidence, and file accurate reports with your bank and U.S. agencies. Recovery is not guaranteed — especially for gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, and many peer-to-peer app payments — so prioritize containment over promises from anyone who contacts you offering to “get your money back.”
Gather screenshots, URLs, phone numbers, wallet addresses, and transaction IDs before deleting messages. Banks and the FTC often need timestamps and exact amounts. If you shared a Social Security number or login credentials, assume identity theft risk and place credit freezes early.
This hub complements — not replaces — official channels. Use our guides for context, then file with the FTC and FBI IC3 so law enforcement can track trends.
Act immediately: If you sent money recently, call your bank using the number on your card — not a number the scammer provided. Time matters for fraud claims. Read can you get money back after a scam for payment-specific recovery odds.
Beware recovery scams: Anyone who cold-calls promising to recover your funds for an upfront fee is likely scamming you again. See recovery room scam red flags.
Advance-fee or donation email? Do not pay. Read our advance-fee hub, employment guide, lottery guide, or government impersonation guide.
Official reporting: How to report a scam to the FTC (step-by-step).
Gave your Social Security number? Place credit freezes immediately — SSN identity theft steps.
Sent money via Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App? Call your bank or app support using official contact info. See our Zelle and Venmo & Cash App guides.
Scanned a suspicious QR code? Follow our QR phishing recovery steps if you entered credentials.
Secure your accounts and devices
Your immediate priority is to stop further financial loss and protect personal data.
- Contact your bank or card issuer and request a freeze or block on affected accounts.
- Change passwords on email, banking, and social accounts if you clicked a link or shared credentials.
- Enable two-factor authentication on critical accounts.
Document the scam
Gather evidence before deleting correspondence. This supports law enforcement and fraud claims.
- Screenshot messages, emails, profiles, and website URLs.
- Save receipts, wallet addresses, and bank transfer records.
- Note phone numbers, names, and credentials used by the scammer.
Report to authorities
Reporting helps track criminals and prevents others from falling victim.
- File a police report — often required by banks for fraud claims.
- Report to national agencies: FTC Report Fraud, FBI IC3.
- Report the account or listing on the platform where contact began.
Report on ScamReporting.org
Your experience helps warn others. Submit a scam report on our platform.
Be cautious of "recovery" offers
Watch for recovery-room scams — fraudsters who claim they can recover lost funds for an upfront fee. Legitimate agencies do not charge victims to investigate crimes.
Need emotional support? Being scammed can be traumatic. Contact local victim support organizations or helplines in your area.
Ready to file? Our team reviews submissions within 24–48 hours.