What to Do If You've Been Scammed Online: A Comprehensive Guide

TL;DR

Online scams are increasingly common and sophisticated. If you’ve been scammed, act quickly to limit damage. Stop all communication with the scammer, secure your accounts, monitor financial statements, and report the incident to authorities. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you recover and protect yourself from further harm.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed Online

Online scams are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. Scammers are leveraging advanced social engineering techniques and even artificial intelligence (AI) to appear more authentic and avoid detection. Anyone can fall victim to these scams, so it’s important not to feel embarrassed. Acting quickly can limit the damage. Here are the steps you should take if you’ve been scammed online.

Immediate Actions to Take

1. Stop All Communication Immediately

The first step is to cut off all contact with the scammer. Do not reply to any messages or calls, as this can prevent further manipulation or requests for more money or information.

2. Secure Your Accounts

Change the passwords on all your online accounts, especially financial and email accounts. Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. Start with the accounts the scammer may have accessed, but also check all your important accounts.

3. Monitor Your Financial Statements

Check your bank, credit card, and payment service accounts for unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious activity to your banks and credit card companies immediately to freeze or reverse fraudulent charges. Inform them of the incident and find out how they can assist you.

Avoiding Further Scams

4. Avoid Sponsored Search Results

Be cautious when searching for help with resolving a scam. Avoid clicking on sponsored search results, as scammers often use these to target victims further. Instead, type the domain name directly or scroll down to the regular search results.

5. Place Fraud Alerts and Check Credit Reports

Contact credit bureaus to place fraud alerts on your file. This warns lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts. Regularly review your credit reports for unfamiliar activity. If available in your region, consider adding a security freeze to all of your credit reports for free.

• In the US, contact Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
• In Canada, contact Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada.
• In the UK, contact Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion UK.

Recovering Lost Funds

6. Try to Recover Your Lost Funds

Recovering lost funds may not always be possible, but you have several options:

• If you paid the scammer by credit card, request a chargeback through your card provider.
• If you paid via bank transfer or wire, contact your bank immediately, as they may be able to initiate a recall in some cases.
• If you sent the money via payment apps (e.g., PayPal, Venmo, Cash App), contact the provider to inquire about recovery options.

Never fall for recovery scams, especially those claiming to recover payments in cryptocurrencies. These are known as recovery scams.

Gathering Evidence and Protecting Your Device

7. Gather Evidence

Keep all records related to the scam, including emails, texts, receipts, screenshots, and any communication details. This documentation supports investigations and helps law enforcement track scammers.

8. Scan Your Device

If you clicked any links or downloaded something during the scam, make sure to scan your device with an antimalware solution. The scammer could have planted malware for later use.

Reporting the Scam

9. Report the Scam

Reporting the scam is crucial. It helps authorities track criminal patterns and may assist in recovering lost funds. Report the incident to the appropriate national agencies, local police, and the platform where the scam occurred. For more details, see our article on how to report online scams.

Setting Up Ongoing Protection

10. Set Up Ongoing Protection

To protect yourself in the future:

• Use a security solution like Malwarebytes Premium to protect your device.
• Use our free Browser Guard to protect yourself in the browser.
• Use Scam Guard, our new feature in Malwarebytes Mobile Security, to check if something is a scam by uploading a text, email, or DM.

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Protecting Your Digital Identity

Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Protect your—and your family’s—personal information by using identity protection.

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Conclusion

Online scams are a persistent threat, but by taking immediate action and following these steps, you can limit the damage and protect yourself from future incidents. Stay vigilant and informed to safeguard your digital identity effectively.

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