It happens to smart, careful people every day. Scammers are professionals — they use urgency, fear, and very convincing imitations of real companies to trick people into acting fast. If you think you've been scammed, the most important thing is this: don't wait.
Here's what to do, step by step.
Act Immediately — The First Hour Matters Most
The faster you act, the better your chances of limiting the damage. Go through these steps as quickly as you can.
If You Gave Someone Remote Access to Your Computer
- Disconnect from the internet right now — unplug your ethernet cable or turn off WiFi
- Do not log into any accounts (email, banking, anything) until the computer has been checked
- Do not turn the computer off — leave it on so a technician can examine what was installed
- Call us or another trusted tech professional immediately — we can help
Why not turn it off? Some malware is designed to activate when a computer restarts. A technician can often examine running processes and stop things before they spread.
If You Gave Someone Your Credit Card or Bank Information
- Call your bank immediately — there's usually a number on the back of your card
- Ask them to flag the account, reverse the charges if possible, and issue a new card
- Monitor your account closely for the next few weeks
If You Gave Someone Gift Card Numbers
Unfortunately, gift card payments are extremely difficult to reverse — they're the scammer's preferred method for exactly this reason. Still report it:
- Report to the gift card company (Amazon, Google, Apple, etc.)
- File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Contact your local police department (you'll need a report number for insurance)
If You Clicked a Suspicious Link or Downloaded Something
- Disconnect from the internet
- Don't open any other programs
- Run a scan with Malwarebytes (malwarebytes.com)
- Change your passwords from a different device once the computer is clean
Change Your Passwords
If the scammer had any time on your computer, assume they may have seen passwords saved in your browser. Change passwords for:
- Your email account first (it controls everything else)
- Online banking and financial accounts
- Any accounts with saved payment methods
Use a different device to change them until you've confirmed your computer is clean.
Report It
Reporting feels pointless, but it helps authorities track patterns and warn others:
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI: ic3.gov
- Your state's attorney general office
Don't Be Embarrassed
This is important. Scammers are very, very good at what they do. We've helped doctors, lawyers, engineers, and retired military personnel who fell for these scams. It is not a reflection of your intelligence. The sooner you get help, the better the outcome — and there's no judgment here.
Contact us and we'll walk through it with you.