If you’ve been scammed, it can be a distressing and overwhelming experience. However, there are steps you can take to try to resolve the situation and protect yourself from further harm.
Here are some suggestions for what to do if you’ve been scammed:
Try to stop the transaction
If you believe you are in the process of being scammed, try to cancel the transaction immediately. If you’ve made a payment, contact your bank or financial institution to see if you can stop the payment or reverse the transaction.
Report the scam
It’s important to report the scam to the authorities so they can take action and potentially prevent others from falling victim to the same scam. You can report the scam to your local police, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Protect your personal information
If you’ve provided personal information, such as your name, address, or financial information, to the scammer, be sure to take steps to protect yourself from identity theft. This may include freezing your credit, monitoring your financial accounts for suspicious activity, and changing passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised.
Consider your legal options
Depending on the circumstances, you may have legal options to pursue in order to seek compensation for your losses. Consult with an attorney or legal aid organization to learn more about your options.
Stay vigilant
It’s important to stay vigilant and be on the lookout for future scams. This may include being careful about the websites you visit, being cautious when sharing personal information, and being skeptical of unsolicited offers or requests for information.
Our investigations into Common Scams of 2023
If you’ve been scammed, it’s important to take action as soon as possible to try to resolve the situation and protect yourself from further harm. By following the steps outlined above, you can help to minimize the impact of the scam and move forward.
Can a scammer hurt you?
Yes, scammers can potentially hurt you in various ways. Here are a few examples:
Financial harm
Scammers can take your money or steal your financial information, leading to financial losses or even identity theft.
Emotional harm
Being scammed can be a distressing and overwhelming experience, and can cause emotional harm, such as anxiety, stress, or feelings of vulnerability.
Physical harm
In some cases, scammers may use threats or intimidation tactics to try to coerce their victims into complying with their demands. This can potentially lead to physical harm if the victim is confronted or threatened by the scammer. However, in the vast majority most cases, the scammers are located overseas and have no means to travel to the US.
Reputational harm
Scammers may also try to damage your reputation by spreading false information or using your personal information to impersonate you. This can have negative consequences for your personal and professional relationships.
It’s important to be aware of the potential harm that scammers can cause and take steps to protect yourself from being scammed. This may include being cautious about sharing personal information, being skeptical of unsolicited offers or requests for information, and reporting scams to the authorities.
Our investigations into Common Scams of 2023
How do scammers get your money?
There are various ways that scammers can try to get your money. Here are a few examples:
- Phishing: Scammers may try to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information, through fake emails or websites that look legitimate.
- Fraudulent offers: Scammers may try to sell you fake products or services, or promise to help you recover money in exchange for an upfront fee.
- Lotteries or sweepstakes: Scammers may try to convince you that you’ve won a lottery or sweepstakes and ask you to pay a fee in order to claim your prize.
- Investment scams: Scammers may try to convince you to invest in a fake or risky investment opportunity, promising high returns but ultimately resulting in financial losses.
- Charity scams: Scammers may try to solicit donations for fake charities or use legitimate charities to steal money.
- Employment scams: Scammers may offer fake job opportunities or ask for upfront payment for training or supplies in order to steal money.
It’s important to be cautious and skeptical of any unsolicited offers or requests for money and to thoroughly research any opportunities before giving out your personal information or making a payment.
Expose a Scam
The following phone numbers, websites, and emails have been reported to us by the consumer. If you feel this information is incorrect, you may submit a request for removal or correction by contacting us using this form.
Submit phone numbers, websites, or email addresses associated with a scam. Your submission will be published as soon as it gets reviewed by one of our staff members.
Attention: Consumers who have been contacted by scammers could have had their personal information breached. TotalScam!™ highly recommends that consumers whose information has been breached obtain an identity theft protection service immediately.
There are several companies that offer identity theft protection in the US. One of the most inexpensive options we were able to find is the protection offered by LifeLock. You can start your protection here.
Disclaimer: The information and opinions contained on this site are not endorsed by LifeLock. TotalScam!™ receives compensation from LifeLock. This helps support our scam prevention efforts.
Our investigations into Common Scams of 2023
