Emergency Steps by What Happened

Jump straight to the emergency guide for your situation. Each one walks you through the exact steps, phone numbers, and free resources for that specific kind of scam.

Recovery is not impossible. See nine real cases where senior scam victims got their money back — through bank tellers, family members, federal prosecutions, and asset forfeiture.

What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Being Scammed: A Senior’s Emergency Guide

Discovering you have been scammed is devastating. The shock, shame, and fear can be overwhelming. But what you do in the next 24 hours can make a significant difference in limiting your losses and potentially recovering your money.

Take a breath. You are not alone, and there are steps you can take right now.

Hour 1-2: Stop the Bleeding

Audience-Specific Guides: After a scam, audience-specific intervention guides may also apply. See our: Caregiver Scam Defense Center — adult-child intervention guide and the first-hour recovery sequence for family members; Surviving Spouse Scam Protection — for the post-death scam window; Senior Veterans Scam Protection — if VA benefits were involved (VSAFE at 833-38V-SAFE); Recent Retiree Scam Protection — if a retirement account, pension, or annuity was involved.

If You Gave Bank Account Information

• Call your bank immediately—use the number on the back of your card
• Report the fraud and ask to freeze your accounts
• Request new account numbers and debit/credit cards
• Ask about their fraud protection policies
• Set up alerts for any transactions

If You Sent a Wire Transfer

• Contact the wire service immediately (Western Union, MoneyGram, or your bank)
• Request a wire recall—time is critical as funds may still be retrievable
• File a fraud complaint with the service
• Get a confirmation number for your complaint

If You Paid with Gift Cards

• Keep the cards and receipts—they are evidence
• Call the gift card company (number on back of card)
• Report the fraud and provide the card numbers
• Ask if any balance remains or can be frozen

If You Gave Remote Access to Your Computer

• Disconnect from the internet immediately
• Shut down your computer
• Do not use it until a professional has checked for malware
• Change all passwords from a different, secure device

Hour 2-4: Secure Your Identity

If You Shared Your Social Security Number

1. Place a fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus (they must notify the others):
   • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
   • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
   • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
2. Consider a credit freeze—this prevents new accounts from being opened in your name
3. Request free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com to check for unauthorized accounts

If You Shared Medicare/Insurance Information

• Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to report the compromise
• Contact your health insurance provider
• Monitor statements for unauthorized medical claims

Hour 4-8: Report the Scam

Reporting serves two purposes: it may help recover your money, and it helps protect others from the same scam.

Essential Reports to File

1. FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3):ic3.gov
   • The FBI tracks internet fraud nationally
   • Keep your complaint number for reference
2. Federal Trade Commission:reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • The FTC shares reports with law enforcement nationwide
3. Local police:
   • File a police report—you may need this for insurance or credit disputes
   • Get a copy of the report number
4. State Attorney General:
   • Find your state’s consumer protection office
   • Complete state-by-state reporting guide

Hour 8-24: Document Everything

While details are fresh, create a record of what happened:

• Write down the timeline of how the scam unfolded
• Save all evidence:
  • Emails and text messages
  • Phone numbers that called you
  • Websites you visited
  • Names or company names used
  • Transaction receipts and confirmation numbers
• Screenshot any communications before they disappear
• Record all report numbers from banks, police, and agencies

The Days Ahead: Recovery Steps

Monitor Your Accounts

• Check bank and credit card statements daily for the next month
• Review credit reports monthly for six months
• Watch for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries

Beware of Recovery Scams

Warning: Scammers often target previous victims again, posing as government agents or lawyers who can “recover” your money for a fee. This is always a scam. No legitimate organization charges upfront fees to recover fraud losses.

Get Emotional Support

Being scammed is traumatic. Please remember:

• It is not your fault. Scammers are professional criminals who manipulate people for a living.
• You are not alone. Intelligent, educated people fall victim to scams every day.
• Talk to someone. A trusted family member, friend, or counselor can help you process what happened.
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: (833) 372-8311—free support and case management

Help Others by Sharing Your Story

When you are ready, consider sharing your experience to help protect others:

• Share your story on our website
• Talk to friends and family about what happened
• Warn your community about the specific scam you encountered

Your story could save someone else from the same fate.

Quick Reference: Emergency Numbers

• National Elder Fraud Hotline: (833) 372-8311
• FBI IC3: ic3.gov
• FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Equifax Fraud Alert: 1-800-525-6285
• Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE
• Social Security: 1-800-772-1213

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Learn How to Protect Yourself: Free Online Training

For more detailed state-specific resources: Complete Reporting Guide

What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Being Scammed

1. Slow down and take a breath. This was not your fault, and clear next steps can still help.
2. Contact your bank or the payment company immediately. Ask them to freeze accounts and try to stop, recall, or dispute the transfer.
3. Protect your identity if you shared personal details. Place a fraud alert with a credit bureau (Equifax 1-800-525-6285), consider a credit freeze, and call 1-800-MEDICARE if Medicare was involved.
4. Report to the FBI at ic3.gov. File your report and save your complaint number.
5. Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Also file a report with your local police.
6. Change your passwords from a separate, secure device. Have any computer the scammer accessed checked for malware before using it again.
7. Document everything and get support. Save messages, receipts, and report numbers, and call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311 for free help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plain answers to the most common questions about what to do right after a scam.

I just got scammed. What is the very first thing I should do?

Move quickly to stop the money. Call your bank or the payment company (wire service, gift card issuer, or card company) and ask them to freeze, recall, or reverse the transfer. The sooner you call, the better the chance funds can still be stopped. This was not your fault, and acting fast matters more than feeling certain.

Can I get my money back after a scam?

Sometimes, yes, especially if you act within hours. Banks can occasionally recall wire transfers, freeze accounts, or dispute charges. Reporting to the FBI at ic3.gov gives federal investigators a chance to trace and freeze funds. Recovery is never guaranteed, but quick action and a filed report give you the best possible chance.

Where do I report a scam, and does reporting actually help?

Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and file a local police report. Reporting is not embarrassing, it is protective. Your report helps investigators connect cases, trace money, and shut down the operation that targeted you, which protects the next person too. Keep every confirmation number.

Is being scammed my fault? I feel so ashamed.

No. This was not your fault. Scammers are professional criminals who manipulate people for a living, and intelligent, careful people are targeted every day. The shame you feel is part of how these crimes work. You deserve support, not blame. The National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311 offers free, confidential help.

Someone offered to help me recover my lost money for a fee. Is that real?

No. This is a second scam that targets people who were already scammed. No legitimate agency, lawyer, or company charges an upfront fee to recover fraud losses. If someone promises to get your money back for a payment, slow down and hang up. Real recovery happens through your bank and federal reports, never for a fee.

What should I do if I gave away my Social Security number or bank details?

Act to protect your identity. Call your bank to freeze accounts and reissue cards. Place a fraud alert with a credit bureau (Equifax 1-800-525-6285, Experian, or TransUnion), and consider a credit freeze. If Medicare was involved, call 1-800-MEDICARE. Then report the fraud at ic3.gov and reportfraud.ftc.gov.

The national picture. These scams are part of a much bigger story. In 2025, Americans 60 and older reported losing $7.748 billion to online fraud across 201,266 victims. Read Stolen Trust, our 2026 special study that maps the full elder-fraud landscape, with five years of FBI data and one practical plan to fix it.