I've been Scammed! What Can I Do About It?
Discovering that you've been scammed online can feel stressful and overwhelming. You might be feeling frustrated with yourself for not spotting the warning signs, or anxious about the money you might have lost to the scam.
To guide you through this experience, we've created a step-by-step guide to help you regain control and increase your chances of recovering your money.
Step 1: Confirm Your Suspicions
Before taking further action, it's crucial to confirm that you have indeed fallen victim to a scam. Here are some considerations to look out for:
- Review Your Transactions: Scrutinize your bank and credit card statements for any unfamiliar charges or suspicious activity that could signal fraud.
- Check Login History: Inspect the login records for your email, social media, and other critical accounts for unusual or unauthorized access attempts.
- Verify Contacts: Confirm the authenticity of anyone claiming to be from a company by cross-checking their contact details with official sources.
- Spot Red Flags: Watch out for common scam signs like high-pressure tactics, unrealistic promises, or requests for unconventional payments like gift cards.
- Investigate the Website: Validate the legitimacy of any website or platform involved by checking reviews on Trustpilot and examining the site's domain.
Step 2: Take Immediate Digital Security Measures
If you have done the above and are still concerned — don’t panic. You may still be able to resolve or mitigate harm done by following the steps outlined below.
Where you believe a scammer may have had access to your devices or online accounts, you should take the following steps immediately:
- Secure Your Devices: If you suspect that a scammer may have had access to your device, ruu a full antivirus scan to detect and remove any malicious software that may have been installed.
- Strengthen Account Security: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on these accounts to add an extra layer of protection. Additionally, change the passwords for the affected account and any other accounts that use the same password. Ensure that the new passwords are strong and unique, especially for accounts holding sensitive financial or personal information.
- Notify Connections: Notify any contacts or connections who may have been affected by the compromise of your account. Inform them about the situation so they can be cautious of any suspicious messages or requests they might receive from your compromised account. This step helps prevent further spread of the scam or phishing attempts and protects your contacts from potential fraud.
Step 3: Intercept Payments
If you have noticed an unknown payment or unauthorized charge from your account, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
Ask your bank for a refund and follow their complaints procedure if necessary. If your issue isn’t resolved within a reasonable timeframe (often around 8 weeks depending on your circumstances), contact the relevant financial ombudsman or regulatory authority in your country.
When addressing fraud and seeking to recover funds, it’s important to recognize that different payment methods necessitate specific actions due to their unique handling and protection mechanisms. The options for getting your money back will vary based on the type of payment method involved:
| Payment Method | Actions to Take |
|---|---|
| Card or Payment Service | Chargeback: Use your card provider’s chargeback scheme to request a refund. |
| Consumer Protection Laws: Local laws, such as the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) in the U.S. or the Consumer Contracts Regulations in the UK, might provide additional safeguards. These regulations often offer remedies like chargebacks or compensation for fraudulent activities. | |
| Report Fraud: Contact your card issuer to report the fraud and request a reversal. | |
| Bank Transfer or Direct Debit | Contact Your Bank: Request a refund and inquire about protections for Direct Debit payments. |
| Bank Transfers: Report the fraudulent transaction and seek a reversal. | |
| Authorized Push Payments | Bank Reimbursement: Contact your bank to request reimbursement if you made a payment based on a scam. Verify if your bank adheres to relevant reimbursement codes or standards. |
| Money Transfer Services | Report the fraudulent transfer to the service provider. Unfortauntely recovery of funds is often not possible. |
| Vouchers or Gift Cards | Contact the issuer to report the scam, but recovery is usually unlikely. Keep the card and receipt as evidence. |
| Money Transfer Apps | Report to App Company: Report the fraudulent transaction to the app provider. If linked to a card, also inform your card issuer or bank. |
| Cryptocurrency | Report the scam to the service used for the transaction, but unfortunately recovery is often not possible as cryptocurrency transactions are generally irreversible. |
| Cash Sent by Mail | Contact Postal Service: If you mailed cash, contact the postal service or delivery provider immediately to attempt to intercept the package. |
Step 4: Report the Scam to the Platform
Reporting fraud directly to the platform where it occurred is vital because it allows the platform to investigate and address the issue, preventing further abuse. This action helps maintain the platform's integrity, ensuring a safer environment for all users and safeguarding the platform's reputation.
Follow the link to report at the relevant platform below:
Social Media Platforms
Marketplaces
Dating Apps
Email Providers
Step 5: Report the Scam to the Authorities
Reporting fraud to the police is important because it initiates a formal investigation that can lead to legal action against the perpetrators. This not only helps recover losses and prevent further crimes but also contributes to broader efforts to combat fraud and protect others in the community from similar schemes.
We've compiled a helpful list of links to point you to the relevant fraud policing authority in your area.
