Report the Scam

If you've been the victim of a scam, it's critical to act fast. Reporting the scam can help protect your finances, stop further damage, and prevent others from being targeted. This page provides a comprehensive list of resources for reporting scams, contacting financial institutions, and securing your accounts. Taking immediate action after a scam is crucial to protecting your financial security and personal information. By reporting the fraud, contacting financial institutions, and securing your accounts, you can mitigate further harm and start the recovery process. Use the resources on this page to guide you through the steps of reporting, recovering, and staying vigilant against future scams.

If you suspect that you've been scammed, follow these immediate steps to protect yourself and minimize further damage:

1. Cease All Communication: Stop responding to the scammer immediately. Block their phone number, email address, or social media account to prevent further contact.
2. Gather Information: Collect any details related to the scam, including messages, emails, transaction records, or screenshots. This information will be helpful when reporting the fraud to authorities or financial institutions.
3. Report the Scam: Use the resources listed below to report the scam to the relevant authorities and service providers.
4. Secure Your Accounts: If your personal information or banking details have been compromised, contact your financial institution and secure your accounts by changing passwords and activating additional security measures.

If your banking or credit card information was compromised, taking swift action can protect your finances. Follow these steps:

1. Report Fraudulent Activity: Contact your bank or credit card company and report any unauthorized transactions. Many institutions can reverse charges if reported promptly.
2. Request New Cards and Account Numbers: If your card information was stolen, ask for new cards with different account numbers to prevent further fraudulent use.
3. Freeze or Close Compromised Accounts: Your bank may suggest freezing or temporarily closing your account to prevent any additional fraudulent activity.
4. Monitor Your Accounts: Set up alerts for any unusual transactions or withdrawals to stay informed of suspicious activity.
5. Consider a Credit Freeze: For added protection, you can freeze your credit report to prevent new credit accounts from being opened in your name.

In addition to contacting your financial institutions and credit reporting agencies, you should report the scam to relevant government authorities, especially if identity theft, Social Security number theft, or internet-based fraud is involved.

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
  • The FTC tracks and investigates scams, providing resources for scam victims.
  • Website: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
  • Phone Number: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3):
  • The IC3 specializes in internet-based fraud and cybercrime. Report scams online to help law enforcement investigate and stop criminals.
  • Website: IC3.gov

• Social Security Administration (SSA):
  • If your Social Security number has been compromised or used fraudulently, report the fraud to the SSA.
  • Website: https://oig.ssa.gov/report/
  • Phone Number: 1-800-269-0271

• U.S. Postal Inspection Service:
  • If you were scammed through the mail, the Postal Inspection Service can investigate mail fraud.
  • Website: https://www.uspis.gov/report
  • Phone Number: 1-877-876-2455

If your bank account, debit card, or credit card information was compromised during the scam, it’s crucial to contact your financial institution immediately. Below are the contact details for major financial institutions’ fraud departments:

• Bank of America:
  • Fraud Department: 1-800-432-1000
  • Report Fraud: Bank of America Fraud Protection

• Chase Bank:
  • Fraud Department: 1-800-935-9935
  • Report Fraud: Chase Fraud Protection

• Wells Fargo:
  • Fraud Department: 1-800-869-3557
  • Report Fraud: Wells Fargo Fraud Protection

• Citibank:
  • Fraud Department: 1-800-950-5114
  • Report Fraud: Citibank Fraud Protection

• Capital One:
  • Fraud Department: 1-800-227-4825
  • Report Fraud: Capital One Fraud Protection

• Discover:
  • Fraud Department: 1-800-347-4996
  • Report Fraud: Discover Fraud Protection

If you believe your identity has been stolen or compromised during the scam, placing a fraud alert on your credit report is an important step to prevent scammers from opening new accounts in your name. Below are the contact details for the major credit reporting agencies:

• Experian:
  • Fraud Department: 1-888-397-3742
  • Report Fraud: Experian Fraud Alert

• Equifax:
  • Fraud Department: 1-888-548-7878
  • Report Fraud: Equifax Fraud Alert

• TransUnion:
  • Fraud Department: 1-800-680-7289
  • Report Fraud: TransUnion Fraud Alert

While reporting the scam is the first step, it’s essential to protect yourself from future scams:

• Stay Vigilant: Scammers may attempt to contact you again, either to extort more money or trick you into thinking they can recover your losses. Always be cautious of recovery scams, which offer false promises of returning your money in exchange for upfront fees.

• Monitor Your Financial and Credit Activity: Keep a close eye on your bank accounts, credit reports, and personal information to catch any signs of ongoing fraud.

• Educate Yourself on New Scam Tactics: Stay updated on the latest scam trends by subscribing to scam alerts from the FTC, AARP Fraud Watch Network, or your bank’s fraud protection services.

These trusted resources offer valuable support for scam victims, from reporting fraud to recovering lost assets and securing personal information:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): File a complaint and access recovery tools.
  • FTC Report Fraud
  • Phone Number: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)

• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Report internet-based fraud.
  • IC3.gov

• Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC): Get personalized recovery assistance.
  • IdentityTheft.gov
  • Phone Number: 1-888-400-5530

• AARP Fraud Watch Network: Stay informed about scams targeting seniors.
  • AARP Fraud Watch Network
  • Phone Number: 1-877-908-3360