If it happened to you, start here.
This happens to careful people every day. What matters now is the next few minutes.
Stop talking to them.
Hang up. Don't reply. No real official will punish you for ending a call.
Call your bank or card company.
Use the number on your card or statement, not one from the message. Ask them to stop or dispute the payments.
Report it, even if you lost nothing.
- Your bank or card company. Call the number on the back of your card or on your statement. Do this first if money or card details are involved.
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Tell the Federal Trade Commission, even if you lost nothing.
- ic3.gov. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. The FBI says IC3 has no social media accounts and never asks for payment.
- Your local police. For threats, or when money has already left.
- Your bank or card provider. Contact them immediately if money or card details are involved.
- Call 1930. The national cybercrime helpline.
- cybercrime.gov.in. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Medicare-related? Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Keep everything.
Messages, numbers, receipts, screenshots. Your bank and the authorities will ask for them.
Expect a second scam.
Anyone offering to get your money back for a fee is the next scam. Never pay upfront for help with a refund.
Tell someone you trust.
These scams work by keeping you alone. Saying it out loud breaks the spell.
We can't investigate cases or recover money, and we'll never offer to.