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Help after a scam call

If a call asked for money and something felt wrong, you have done the right thing by stopping to check. Start with the three steps below, then pick the page that matches what happened.

Got a call right now?

  1. Hang up. It is not rude. A real emergency will still be there in two minutes.
  2. Call the person back on a number you already have. Not the number that just called you.
  3. Do not pay by gift card, wire, crypto or cash. The FTC says no real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them.
A woman sitting at a kitchen table with a phone and a notepad, calmly writing a list

Where to start

Not sure which page fits? Answer these questions in order and stop at the first yes.

  1. Is anyone in danger right now? Call your local emergency number first. Everything else can wait.
  2. Did money leave your account, or did you share card or bank details? Call your bank on the number on your card, then read what to do after paying a scammer.
  3. Did you give a password, a one-time code or remote access to your computer? Change that password and contact the company it belongs to. The same guide explains how to secure your accounts.
  4. Did you only answer and talk for a moment? You are very likely fine. Block the number and read what a quick scam call can mean.
  5. Do you want to warn others? See where to report the call in your country. Reports help agencies spot new scams.

Take a breath before each step. Scammers rely on speed and fear. Real banks, police and family members will wait while you check. Keep a notepad by the phone and write down the time, the number and what was said. Those notes help your bank and the police, and they help you remember what happened when you feel shaken.

If you are helping a parent or another relative, sit with them while they make each call. Let them speak for themselves where they can, and remind them that being targeted is not their fault.

What happened?

  1. A woman at a desk with a phone and a notepad, writing down a list

    What to do if you have been scammed by phone

    You paid or shared bank details. Stop the payment, secure your accounts and report it, in order.

  2. A person on the phone at a desk with a printed form and a pen

    How to report a scam call

    You want to report the call. Who to tell, in what order, and what to have ready.

  3. A man at a kitchen table looking down at the phone in his hand

    I answered a scam call: what to do now

    You answered but are not sure what it means. What a short call can and cannot do.

Common questions

Is it too late to do anything?

Not always. A bank can sometimes stop a payment if you call quickly, and reporting helps either way. Call your bank now.

Should I call the police?

Yes, if anyone is in danger, cash was collected at your door, or a family member was threatened. Otherwise report to your national fraud service.

What if the call was real after all?

Then calling back on a known number will confirm it within minutes. Checking never harms a real emergency.

Will anyone blame me?

You should not be blamed. These scams are designed by professionals to beat careful people.

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