1
Stop Additional Transfers
Do not send more money, crypto, gift cards, or fees—even if someone claims a final payment will release existing funds. Pause contact and avoid deleting messages.
Response guide
What To Do After an Online Scam
Move carefully. A prompt response can help limit further exposure, but no step or report guarantees that a payment can be reversed or recovered.
2
Contact the Payment Provider
Contact your bank, card issuer, wire service, payment app, or exchange through a verified channel. Explain that fraud may be involved and ask what safeguards, disputes, recalls, or account restrictions may be available.
3
Secure Accounts and Devices
From a known-clean device, change compromised and reused passwords. Enable multi-factor authentication, sign out unknown sessions, and review email forwarding rules. If remote software was installed, disconnect the device and obtain qualified technical assistance.
4
Preserve Records
Save original emails, texts, platform messages, receipts, transaction references, wallet addresses, transaction hashes, profile names, phone numbers, URLs, and screenshots. Write a dated timeline while details are fresh.
5
Report Through Legitimate Channels
Report to the relevant provider and appropriate public authority. Visit agencies by typing or verifying their web addresses yourself. Filing a report does not guarantee an investigation or recovery.
6
Watch for Recovery Scams
Be skeptical of unsolicited contacts, guarantees, upfront recovery fees, secret investigators, or requests for seed phrases, codes, remote access, or additional transfers.
Records checklist
- Dates, amounts, currencies, and payment method
- Names, usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, and URLs
- Bank references, payment-app IDs, wallet addresses, and transaction hashes
- Original messages, receipts, contracts, and account screenshots
- A short chronological account of what happened
Store copies securely. Do not post sensitive identity or financial records publicly.