Learn what to do if you paid someone you suspect of being a scammer, gave them personal information, or granted them access to your phone or computer. Scammers have a knack for persuading others. They try to get our money or sensitive personal information, such as our Social Security number or account numbers, by calling, emailing or texting us. Here are some things to do if you paid or offered your personal information to someone you suspect is a fraudster.
If You Paid a Scammer Online
- Did you pay with a credit card or debit card
Contact the credit card or debit card’s issuing business or bank. Inform them that the charge was bogus.
- Did a scammer make an unauthorized transfer from your bank account?
Notify your bank of any unauthorized debits or withdrawals. Request that the transaction is reversed and your money is refunded.
- Did you use a transfer of funds app to send money?
Inform the money transfer app’s company about the fraudulent transaction and ask if the payment may be reversed. If the app was linked to a credit card or debit card, report the fraud to your credit card company or bank. Check to see if the fee can be refunded.
- Did you use a service to send a wire transfer?
Get in touch with a wire transfer company. Notify them that the transfer was bogus. Request that the wire transfer be reversed and your monies are returned.
If A Potential Scammer Contacts You
Ignore the scammer if they come to your door, call you, or send you a message, but make a note of what happened so you can report it.
What To Do Incase You Have Given The Access To Your Device To A Scammer?
Scammers may request access to your computer so that they can control it remotely. They could, for example, pretend to be from your internet provider and explain that they need to resolve a technical issue. The scammer could have infected your computer with a virus or stolen your passwords and financial data. To stay protected, you should: • change your passwords; • notify your bank that your financial information may have been stolen; and • keep your anti-virus software up to date. You could also hire an IT expert to examine your machine.
The FTC can utilize the information you provide to construct cases against fraudsters, notice trends, educate the public, and share facts about what’s going on in your neighborhood when you report a scam.
If you’ve been duped, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. One necessary measure to take if you are scammed is to have fundstrace on your side. They have a professional staff that is equipped with the most up-to-date software to handle all of the paperwork and confront the scammer in order to recover your funds. I’ve always had a great experience with fundstrace because they’ve never failed to recover any of my payments, no matter how large.
