Get free, official help after a scam or identity theft

Scammed, or someone used your identity? The real help is free: what to do first, where to report, and who to call. Nobody legit charges to get your money back.

⏱ About 15 minutes · 6 steps
What you'll need
  • Your phone and a notepad
  • Any receipts, texts, emails or account numbers from the scam
  • About 15 minutes

  1. Act fast on the money

    Three first steps: call your bank or card, change passwords, report it for free
    The first three moves, in order.
    • Call your bank or card company using the number on the back of your card or on their official website. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and lock the account.
    • Paid with a gift card? Call the card company on the number on the back of the card and ask for a refund. Keep the card and receipt.
    • Paid by payment app, wire or crypto? Contact that company right away. The FTC's What to do if you were scammed page lists what to say for each way you paid.

  2. Lock down your accounts

    • Change the password on your email first (it can reset everything else), then banking and shopping accounts.
    • Turn on two-step verification.
    • If a scammer was on your computer ("tech support" scams), stop using it for banking until it is checked or reset.

  3. Report it free, with the right office

    What happenedWhere to report (free)
    Someone used your name, Social Security number or opened accountsIdentityTheft.gov or 1-877-438-4338. You get a personal recovery plan.
    Any scam, bad business or fraudReportFraud.ftc.gov
    Online crime: hacked accounts, online fraud, ransomwareIC3.gov (FBI)
    Scam textsForward the text to 7726 (SPAM). See the FCC's tips on unwanted calls and texts.
    IdentityTheft.gov home page with a button that says Report Identity Theft
    The FTC's official identity theft site. Screenshot of the official page, October 2026. It may look a little different now.

  4. Freeze your credit if your identity was stolen

    A credit freeze is free and stops new accounts being opened in your name. The FTC explains credit freezes and fraud alerts. Set it up with each of the three bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

  5. Talk to a real person, free

    HelplineWho it's forHours (ET)
    AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360Anyone, members or notMon–Fri 8am–8pm
    National Elder Fraud Hotline (U.S. Dept. of Justice): 1-833-372-8311People 60 and older, or someone helping themMon–Fri 10am–6pm Eastern

    They listen, explain your next steps and help you report. It's normal to feel embarrassed; scammers fool smart people every day.

  6. Beware the second scam

    ⚠️ Watch out: After a scam, "recovery" scammers often call or message promising to get your money back for a fee, sometimes pretending to be the FTC, FBI or a lawyer. Government agencies never charge to help you or to get money back. Read the FTC's refund and recovery scams warning. Only use web addresses you type yourself, ending in .gov for government sites.

    ReportFraud.ftc.gov page saying Report to help fight fraud with a Report Now button
    The real FTC fraud-reporting site. Screenshot of the official page, October 2026. It may look a little different now.
🎉 All done! You've stopped the money, secured your accounts and reported it. Keep a note of report numbers and who you spoke to; you may need them later.

Related game: Scam or Legit?. Related explainer: Credit freeze vs. fraud alert: the free way to block identity thieves .

Official help pages

Steps checked against these pages in October 2026. If a button looks different, look for a similar label.