What to Do If You've Been Scammed: Step-by-Step Recovery Guide

Stop all contact

Cut off communication with the scammer immediately. Block their number, email, and social media accounts. Do not respond, even to say goodbye or to ask questions.

Secure your accounts

If the scammer has access to your email, banking, or social media passwords, change all of them immediately. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on all critical accounts.

Check your accounts for unauthorized activity

Review your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions. Check for new accounts opened in your name and monitor your credit report.

If you sent cryptocurrency

Write down the wallet address and transaction ID immediately. Once crypto is sent, it's difficult to recover, but documenting this information is important for reporting and investigation.

If you sent a wire or bank transfer

Call your bank's fraud line immediately. Provide the transaction reference number, the recipient's name and account, and the wire amount. Your bank may be able to recall the funds if the receiving bank is also cooperative.

If you shared personal information

If you provided your Social Security number, driver's license, passport, or other identity documents, place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus and consider freezing your credit.

Save screenshots and records

• All messages (text, email, social media, dating app)
• Fake profiles or impersonation accounts
• Financial transfers or bank records
• Cryptocurrency transaction details
• Website or app screenshots showing fake offers
• Phone call logs and voicemails

Create a timeline

Write down chronologically when you met the scammer, how they contacted you, what they promised, when payments were made, and what you've learned since discovering the scam.

Collect financial information

• Amount of money sent and dates
• Payment methods used (gift cards, wire, cryptocurrency, etc.)
• Bank reference numbers or confirmation codes
• Addresses where money was sent
• Phone numbers, email addresses, usernames

Document all contacts

Write down any names (real or fake), phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles, dating app usernames, and any identifying information about the scammer. This helps authorities and other victims recognize patterns.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - ReportFraud.ftc.gov

This is the primary federal agency for consumer fraud. Report any online scam here, including romance scams, investment fraud, and crypto scams. The FTC shares information with law enforcement agencies.

Online: reportfraud.ftc.gov

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) - IC3.gov

Report any internet-facilitated crime here, especially if significant money was lost. The IC3 is part of the FBI and investigates cybercrime patterns.

Online: ic3.gov

Local police department

File a police report with your local police department. Provide them with all documentation. You'll receive a case number, which may be needed for financial claims or credit disputes.

Your financial institution

Report fraud to your bank, credit card company, or payment service. They have fraud departments and may be able to dispute transactions or prevent further unauthorized activity.

Cryptocurrency exchange or wallet provider

If you sent cryptocurrency, report it to the exchange or wallet service. While recovery is difficult, they may freeze suspicious accounts or assist law enforcement.

AVASC - avasc.org

Report your scam to AVASC. Your structured report helps us identify patterns, maintain a searchable database, and connect victims with targeted resources.

Dating platform or social media

Report the fake profile or scammer account. They may have multiple targets. Include all documentation. These platforms sometimes cooperate with law enforcement.

Monitor your credit report

• Get a free credit report from annualcreditreport.com
• Check for accounts you didn't open
• Monitor for unauthorized inquiries
• Sign up for free credit monitoring services

Place a fraud alert

Contact the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and request a fraud alert. This makes it harder for someone to open accounts in your name. You can place an initial alert by contacting any one of them.

Consider a credit freeze

A credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. It's free and can be placed with all three bureaus. You can lift it temporarily if you need to apply for credit.

Check your email and phone accounts

Review login activity in your email and phone accounts. Look at connected devices and apps. Remove anything unauthorized. These accounts are gateways to all your other accounts.

Acknowledge your feelings

Shame is part of scammers' toolkit—they exploit trust and compassion. Being fooled doesn't mean you're stupid or weak. Intelligent, kind people get scammed every day.

Talk to someone you trust

Tell a friend, family member, or therapist what happened. Isolation feeds shame. Honest conversation often reveals that others have experienced similar situations.

Seek professional support

A therapist, counselor, or financial advisor can help you process trauma, make recovery decisions, and rebuild. Many offer sliding scale fees or online options.

Join a support community

Online communities and support groups for scam victims exist. Connecting with people who understand what you're going through can reduce isolation and provide practical advice.

How to protect yourself

• Never pay anyone for help recovering funds
• Real recovery is handled by law enforcement, not private services
• If someone contacts you with recovery help, they're probably scammers
• Trust legitimate agencies (FBI, FTC, your bank)