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If it happened

Sent money or shared a code? Act now.

Sent money, shared a code or think a call fooled you? Do the steps that fit what happened. Minutes matter, and it's not your fault.

  1. Stop contact

    Hang up and don't reply. Don't send more, however urgent they make it sound.

  2. Contact the payment provider

    If you sent money, contact the company it went through right away: your bank or card issuer, the payment app, the gift card company or the crypto service. Use their official app or website, or the number on your card or statement, not contact details from the caller or message. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment. They may not be able to.

  3. Secure affected accounts

    If you shared a password or sign-in code, change that password, sign out other devices, turn on two-step sign-in and check the recovery phone and email. Locked out? Use that provider's own account recovery.

  4. Warn your group

    Tell them through a channel you trust. If your safewords may have leaked, agree on new ones in person and replace any printed cards.

  5. Report it

    In the US, report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If it happened online, also report it to the FBI at ic3.gov. Keep screenshots, receipts and the number they used somewhere private. A report doesn't promise your money back.

Safewords can't get money back. Your payment provider sometimes can, if you contact them quickly.

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