You are not alone. Begin taking steps to secure your life.
Do you suspect you are being scammed?
It can be overwhelming discovering you’ve been scammed. Follow the steps below to begin gaining control of your life.
STOP CONTACT IMMEDIATELY.
Hang up the phone. Block their number. Do not make any additional payments. Do not reply to ANY inquiry from the scammer. Beware of additional scammers contacting you offering assistance.
Secure your finances.
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
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- TransUnion
Secure your computer.
- Scammers often request access to your computer via third-party programs (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, etc.) during their scam. They will claim they are “securing your computer” or confirming details. More than likely they have installed malware or a keylogger to steal your information.
- Quickly scan your computer using an Antivirus software of your choice. I recommend the free version of Malwarebytes to catch most malware they may have put on your computer. Simply download the free version and run a quick scan. Follow their steps to remove any detected malware. When finished, uninstall Malwarebytes or keep it if you are happy with the program.
- If you believe your computer is still compromised or need peace of mind, you can back up your data and factory reset your computer. Click here for instructions on how to reset your Windows computer. Click here for instruction on how to reset your Apple computer.
- If you are not tech-savvy and need peace of mind, bring your computer to a local computer repair shop. Explain your issue and they will be happy to assist.
Change your passwords.
- Immediately begin changing password you believe the scammer may have access to. This can include your online bank, credit card pins, social media accounts, and email accounts. Use unique and strong passwords when making these changes.
- This step can daunting and time consuming but it is absolutely crucial you secure your accounts. Use your browser’s password manager to keep track if needed. Each changed password puts you one step closer to freedom.
Report the scam.
- Reporting your experience can be difficult but it is needed. Reporting helps protect others from being scammed
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and report your scam experience at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation.
You are not alone.
Congratulations! You have taken the first steps toward claiming back your life. This can be an incredibly stressful and emotional process. Do not blame yourself and continue onwards. Inform your loved ones on how to protect themselves and be open.
If you would like to tell your story or just need someone to listen, please reach out via the contact form. I will respond as soon as I can.
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