What to do after a scam call

If you answered and hung up

You're fine. Answering a call doesn't give anyone access to your phone, your accounts or your money.

You may get more calls for a while, because the caller now knows your number reaches a real person. From now on, let numbers you don't know go to voicemail.

If you pressed a key or said "yes"

Pressing a key, even one that promises to take you off the list, tells the caller a real person picked up. Expect more calls, and don't press anything next time.

Some people worry that a recording of them saying "yes" could be used against them. Confirmed cases are rare. Keep an eye on your phone bill and your bank and card statements, and question any charge you don't recognize.

If you gave out personal information

If you shared your Social Security number, date of birth or similar details, someone could try to open accounts in your name. These steps help.

• Place a free credit freeze with each of the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze stops new credit being opened in your name. You can lift it when you need to.
• Or place a free fraud alert. You only need to contact one bureau, and it tells the other two. Lenders are then asked to check it's really you.
• Visit IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan made for your situation.
• If you gave out a password, or a code sent to your phone, change that password now. Turn on two-step sign-in where you can.
• If you shared Medicare or health insurance details, call the number on your card and tell them.

If you gave a card number or paid

Act fast. The sooner you call, the better the chance of stopping a payment. There's no guarantee money can be recovered, but waiting makes it harder.

• Card or bank account: call your bank on the number on the back of your card or on your statement. Never use a number the caller gave you. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment, and to replace the card.
• Gift cards: contact the company that issued the card right away, and tell them it was used in a scam. Keep the card and the receipt.
• Wire transfer: contact the wire transfer company or your bank. Tell them it was a scam, and ask them to reverse the transfer.
• Payment app, like Zelle, Venmo or Cash App: report it to the app and to your bank or card company, and ask them to reverse the payment.
• Cryptocurrency: contact the company you used to send it, and tell them it was a scam.

If you let them into your computer

If a caller had you install a program, or took control of your screen:

• Disconnect the computer from the internet.
• Remove the program they had you install. Update your security software and run a scan.
• Change your passwords from a different device you trust, starting with email and banking.
• Call your bank if you did any banking on that computer while they were connected.

If this feels like too much, ask a family member or a computer repair shop you trust to help.

Report it

Reporting helps stop scammers, even when the money can't be recovered.

• Report the call to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• Forward scam texts to 7726 (it spells SPAM), then delete them.
• If you lost money or are being threatened, you can also report it to your local police.
• Tell family and friends what happened. It may help them spot the same trick.

Watch out for a second scam

After a loss, someone may contact you promising to get your money back for a fee. They may say they're from the government or a law firm. This is a common follow-up scam.

Government agencies don't charge a fee to help you get money back. Don't pay anyone who calls you out of the blue offering to recover it.

Want to know why these calls look so convincing? Read why scam calls show your own area code.

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