Stamp Out Scams

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

Six Critical Steps to Take If You’ve Been Scammed

I've Been Scammed, Now What?

If you believe you’ve been scammed, you’re not alone—and you’re not at fault. Scams are carefully designed to pressure, deceive, and manipulate people into acting quickly or emotionally. The most important thing right now is to pause, take a breath, and focus on protecting yourself from further harm.

This page will walk you through what to do next, step by step. You’ll find clear actions you can take immediately, guidance based on what happened to you, and information on where and how to report the scam. Whether money was lost or not, taking the right steps now can help limit damage, protect your accounts, and prevent scammers from targeting you again.

Stop Contact and Slow Everything Down

If you believe you’ve been scammed, stop communicating with the person or organization immediately. Scammers rely on urgency and pressure, and slowing down helps prevent further loss or manipulation.

Secure Your Accounts Immediately

Begin protecting yourself by changing passwords, starting with email and financial accounts. Enable multi-factor authentication and review account activity to block unauthorized access. do not wait to do this!

Preserve All Evidence Immediately

Save messages, emails, screenshots, transaction records, and any instructions you were given. This information may be important for reporting, recovery efforts, insurance purposes or protecting yourself later.

Identify the Scam Type Used On You

Understanding how the scam occurred helps determine what actions to take next. Whether it involved money, information, or access, clarity helps reduce confusion and stress.

Report To All Your Trusted Sources

Report the scam to your bank, the platform involved, and appropriate consumer protection agencies. Reporting helps create records, identify patterns, and protect others from harm

Stay Alert To Potential Follow-Up Scams

Scammers often target victims again by offering fake recovery services or urgent help. Be cautious of unsolicited contact, demands for fees, or pressure to act quickly.