Don't Panic — Act Quickly

If you've given away personal information, clicked a suspicious link, or sent money to someone you now suspect is a scammer, don't waste time blaming yourself. Scams are designed by professionals to fool people — it can happen to anyone. What matters now is acting quickly to limit the damage.

If You Shared Your Password

If you entered your password on a fake website or gave it to someone:

Change your email password first, even if it wasn't the account that was compromised. If a scammer gets your email, they can reset passwords on everything else.

  1. Change that password immediately. Do this from a different device if possible.
  2. If you use the same password on other websites (you shouldn't, but many people do), change it on ALL of those sites too.
  3. Enable two-factor authentication on the affected account if you haven't already.
  4. Check the account's recent activity for any actions you didn't take.
  5. Check if the account has email forwarding or recovery addresses that were changed — scammers often set these up to maintain access even after you change the password.

If You Shared Payment Card Details

If you entered your credit or debit card details on a suspicious website:

Most banks have a dedicated fraud phone number that's different from their general helpline. It's usually printed on the back of your card and gets you through faster.

  1. Call your bank or card provider immediately. Their fraud line is usually on the back of your card and is available 24/7.
  2. Ask them to block the card and issue a new one.
  3. Report any unauthorised transactions you can already see.
  4. Check your statement carefully over the next few weeks for small, unfamiliar charges — scammers sometimes start with small test transactions.

If You Sent Money

If you transferred money to a scammer:

  1. Contact your bank immediately — in some cases, they can stop or reverse a transfer if they act fast enough.
  2. If you paid by credit card, request a chargeback.
  3. If you paid via PayPal, open a dispute through PayPal's Resolution Centre.
  4. If you paid by bank transfer, contact your bank's fraud team. In the UK, many banks are part of the Contingent Reimbursement Model, which may refund victims of bank transfer scams.
  5. If you sent gift cards and shared the codes, contact the gift card company (Google, Apple, Amazon) — they can sometimes freeze the funds if notified quickly.

If You Installed Software

If you installed remote access software (like AnyDesk or TeamViewer) or downloaded a suspicious file:

  1. Disconnect from the internet immediately (turn off Wi-Fi, unplug ethernet).
  2. Uninstall the remote access software.
  3. Run a full antivirus scan.
  4. Change all passwords from a different, clean device.
  5. Consider having a professional check your computer if you're not confident doing this yourself.

Emotional Recovery

Being scammed can cause real emotional distress — anger, shame, anxiety, and even depression. These feelings are normal and valid. Remember:

  1. It's not your fault. Scammers are criminals who prey on trust — the shame belongs to them, not you.
  2. Talk to someone you trust about what happened. Keeping it secret only adds to the stress.
  3. Many victim support organisations offer free counselling for fraud victims.
  4. Reporting the scam can help you feel empowered and may prevent others from falling victim.