Safety4SeniorsA little clarity, before you click.

GET HELP AFTER A SCAM · UNITED STATES

Let’s take the next step.

Scams can happen to anyone. You deserve help, without blame.

Sent money? Contact your payment provider now.

Use the number on your card or the app you already use. Ask whether the payment can be stopped or reversed. Getting money back is not guaranteed.

What happened?

Start with the situation that fits. Follow its first step, then open the full plan. You can choose more than one.

Draft: these steps are waiting for a person to check them against their sources.

I gave someone a code or passwordSomeone may be able to get into your account. Lock it again first.
  1. If you can still sign in, change the password. Open the official app, or type the website address yourself. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  2. Turn on two-step sign-in, so a password alone is not enough. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  3. Sign out of all other devices, and check that the recovery email and phone number on the account are yours. Source: FTC: How To Recover Your Hacked Email or Social Media Account ↗
  4. If you cannot sign in, use the company’s account recovery page. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  5. If the code or password was for a bank or card, call the number on the back of your card and tell them. Tech for Silvers advice
I let someone into my computer or phoneThey may have left something behind. Clean the device, then change passwords.
  1. Update your security software so it has the latest protection. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  2. Run a scan and delete anything it finds. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  3. Change your passwords and turn on two-step sign-in. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  4. If you opened your bank or typed card details while they were connected, call your bank using the number on your card. Tech for Silvers advice
I paid with gift cards or shared gift card numbersCall the gift card company right away. Some can freeze the money.
  1. Report it to the gift card company right away, no matter how long ago it happened. Use the number on the back of the card. Source: FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams ↗
  2. Tell them a scammer tricked you into giving them the card number and PIN, and ask for your money back. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  3. Keep the gift card and the store receipt. Source: FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams ↗
  4. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Source: FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams ↗
I sent money or paidAct fast. What to do depends on how you paid.

How did you pay?

Zelle, a bank transfer or a debit card
  1. Report it to your bank or credit union right away. Use the number on the back of your card, or sign in through their app. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  2. Ask them to reverse the payment and refund your money. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
A payment app (Venmo, Cash App, PayPal)
  1. Report it to the payment app right away. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  2. Ask them to reverse the payment and refund your money. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
A wire transfer (Western Union, MoneyGram)
  1. Report it to the wire transfer company right away. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  2. Tell them a scammer tricked you into sending money, and ask for a refund. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
A credit card
  1. Report it to your credit card company right away. Use the number on the back of the card, or sign in through their app. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  2. Ask them to refund your money. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency
  1. Contact the cryptocurrency exchange or the ATM company right away. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  2. Tell them it was a fraudulent transaction and ask them to reverse it. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  3. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
Cash sent in the mail or by courier
  1. If you mailed it with the U.S. Postal Service, call the Postal Inspection Service right away at 1-877-876-2455. They may be able to stop a package that has not been delivered. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  2. If you used FedEx, UPS or another company, contact them as soon as possible. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
I gave my Social Security number or other personal detailsSomeone could open accounts in your name. Get a recovery plan.
  1. If someone has already used your information, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and follow the recovery plan it gives you. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗
  2. If it has not been used, or you are not sure, go to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach and follow the steps there. Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed ↗

Need help protecting your identity?

Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC)
Free guidance if your personal details were exposed or used by someone else.

Call 1-888-400-5530

Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific / 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Eastern.

ITRC: Identity recovery support ↗
ITRC: Contact and hours ↗
Service details checked October 24, 2026.

Something else, or I am not sureYou do not have to work it out alone.
  1. Do not reply to the message or call the number in it. Tech for Silvers advice
  2. Forward a scam text to 7726 (SPAM), and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Source: FTC: How To Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages ↗
  3. Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Eastern) for free guidance about a possible scam. No AARP membership needed. Source: AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline ↗
  4. It is fine to ask someone you trust to help you. Tech for Silvers advice

Based on FTC recovery guidance. Official sites open when you choose a link; they need internet access.

Free U.S. helplines

Already sent money? Contact your payment provider now; don’t wait for a helpline to open.

In danger? Call 911. These helplines are not emergency services.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE

A short plan for today

Use these reminders here or print them. Your choices are not saved by the app.

Resource details checked October 21, 2026. These services are for the United States. If you are elsewhere, use your country’s official fraud-reporting service.