What To Do if You’ve Been Scammed

If you’ve been scammed, there are different actions you should take based on what you were scammed into doing. For example, if you accidentally paid a scammer, you should contact your bank immediately. If you gave a scammer your login credentials, you should update your passwords and enable MFA immediately. If a scammer hacked your device, you should run antivirus software and possibly factory reset your device.

Continue reading to learn more about what you should do to keep yourself safe after being scammed. 

1. Freeze your credit

Freezing your credit blocks access to your credit report, preventing anyone from being able to access it and open new credit lines under your name. To freeze your credit you’ll need to contact each of the three major credit bureaus separately: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. Once you freeze your credit, you’ll be able to unfreeze it at any time, you’ll just need to go through a verification process before the freeze can be lifted. 

2. Lock your debit or credit card

Locking your debit and credit cards is a good step to take to keep your finances safe after being scammed. You can lock your debit or credit cards by logging in to your bank’s mobile app. If you’re unsure how to lock your cards, contact your bank’s customer support team by visiting their official website. 

3. Change your password and enable 2FA

If you think one of your accounts could be at risk of compromise because of a scammer, updating your password immediately and enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is important. We recommended using a password generator to create a strong password that can’t be easily cracked. While enabling any type of 2FA method is better than no 2FA, we strongly encourage you to use an authenticator app and avoid receiving 2FA codes through text or email. 

4. Contact your bank or credit card issuer

If you accidentally paid a scammer online using your debit or credit card, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Let them know that you fell for a scam and provide them with as much detail as possible about the scam. This will help them better guide you so you can keep your finances protected. Your bank or credit card issuer will cancel your current card and send you a new one in the mail. 

Even after contacting your bank, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your accounts for suspicious activity such as transactions you didn’t make or unsolicited login attempts. The sooner you notice this suspicious activity, the sooner you can act against it.

5. If you gave away your SSN, report it

If you gave away your Social Security number to a scammer, everything associated with your identity is at risk of compromise. Report your stolen SSN to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by visiting identitytheft.gov. A credit freeze is also an important step to take if you haven’t already done so. You may also want to contact the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) because scammers may attempt to use your SSN to steal your tax return or get a job. You can contact the IRS by visiting irs.gov/uac/Identity-Protection. 

6. Scan your device using antivirus software

If a scammer has hacked your device, run antivirus software. Antivirus software is a program that scans your devices for viruses and malware and removes them. If the antivirus isn’t able to remove the malware, you may need to factory reset your device or have an IT professional take a look at it so the malware is completely removed. 

How to protect yourself from scams

In addition to knowing what to do after you’ve been scammed, it’s also important to learn how to protect yourself from falling victim to scams in the future. Here’s what we recommend. 

Before acting on a request, confirm the identity of the person

When you receive a request to provide any type of personal information in an email, text, direct message or phone call, it’s always best to confirm the person’s identity before choosing to follow through with their request. For example, if you receive a text message claiming to be a family member and they’re asking you to send them money, don’t just send the money immediately. Contact your family member through another method and ask if they sent you the request. If they didn’t, block the number that sent you the text. 

Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments

Many scammers use malicious links and attachments to get their victims to reveal private information or infect their devices with malware. You should never click on links or attachments from unknown senders, especially if you don’t know if they’re safe. 

Always use your credit card for online purchases

Purchasing anything online can be risky, which is why it’s best to only pay for items and services with a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards provide users with better fraud protection. If you were to fall for a scam in which you paid online, using a credit card means you’re most likely to get your money back. 

Use a password manager to log in to accounts

A password manager is a solution that aids users in generating, storing, managing and sharing passwords. Password managers are great for protecting against online scams because they can help you identify phishing websites. When you create a record in your password vault, the username, password and website address are saved. This enables the password manager to autofill your credentials when you sign into a website or app you have an account with. If you land on a login page designed to look legitimate but is actually a phishing website, the password manager won’t autofill your credentials. This prevents you from accidentally giving away your login credentials to a scammer. 

Keep yourself protected against scammers

As long as the internet is around, scammers will be too. It’s important to understand how you can keep yourself protected against common scams and what you should do in a scenario where you accidentally fall for a scam. Along with knowing what to do, you should also invest in tools that make protecting yourself online easier. For example, antivirus software and password managers are both tools you should consider investing in to stay protected online.

Curious to see how a password manager can protect you and your most important data? Start a free 30-day trial of Keeper Password Manager today.