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July 1, 2025

CyberSecurity Source | Summer 2025

Cyber Security

What To Do If You've Experienced a Scam

As technology continues to improve, so do criminals’ tactics to scam people out of their hard-earned money. From tech support scams to cryptocurrency fraud, and so much more, these types of scams have unfortunately become an everyday occurrence, and victims are left trying to pick up the pieces. If you’ve fallen victim there are steps you can take to potentially lessen the impact. As soon as you realize you’ve experienced a scam, it’s important to take certain actions immediately to prevent monetary loss and identity theft.

With help from AARP, we’ve detailed key steps to protect your bank accounts, personal information, and find the support you need.

Immediately Cut Off Communication with the Scammer

You might be tempted to keep communicating with the criminal, hoping you can persuade them to return your money or that they’ll expose some information that will help law enforcement catch them. Scam prevention experts say continued communication is unlikely to help and could even worsen the situation.

Notify Your Bank and Credit Card Companies

Your bank and/or credit card company should be your first two calls, says Amy Nofziger, director of victim support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network. If scammers have already gained access to your bank account, the bank can change your account number to deny them further access. Check your recent credit or debit card transactions and contact your financial institutions if you spot any fraudulent charges.

Change Your Passwords

Out of precaution it’s crucial to update all your passwords, and not just the passwords associated with compromised accounts. When changing be sure to use strong passwords, eight characters or more, including numbers and symbols.

Report The Scam

AARP recommends filing a police report with your local department and submitting the instance to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Protect Your Credit

Routinely check your credit report and watch for unusual activity. If you see any, report it to the appropriate financial institution immediately. You may also consider freezing your credit report. This prevents scammers from opening new credit cards or making big purchases in your name. You can unfreeze it as needed for upcoming transactions. Visit IdentityTheft.gov for more information on how to stay safe.