First — please know this: it is not your fault. Scammers are professional criminals who do this every day. They are very good at fooling people. What matters now is acting quickly.
Here is exactly what to do, step by step.
Step 1: Do Not Send Any More Money
This sounds obvious, but scammers are very clever. After you realise something is wrong, they may call you again pretending to be a “recovery service” that can get your money back — for a fee. This is another scam.
Rule: Once you suspect you have been scammed, stop all contact with that person immediately.
Step 2: Contact Your Bank Right Away
If you transferred money or gave out your card details, call your bank immediately.
- Use the number on the back of your bank card
- Tell them you have been a victim of fraud
- Ask them to freeze the account or reverse the transaction if possible
The sooner you call, the better the chance of recovering your money. Many banks have dedicated fraud teams available 24 hours a day.
Step 3: Change Your Passwords
If you shared your password, or if you think the scammer may have accessed your email or accounts, change your passwords now.
Start with:
- Your email — this is the most important
- Your online banking
- Any shopping sites like Amazon or eBay
- Facebook and other social media
If you are not sure how to change a password, ask a family member or friend to help you.
Step 4: Report It
Reporting a scam helps authorities catch the criminals and warn others.
In the UK:
- Action Fraud: Call 0300 123 2040 or go to actionfraud.police.uk
- Your bank’s fraud team (they have their own reporting process)
- Citizens Advice: Call 0808 223 1133 for free advice
If you gave remote access to your computer:
- Turn off the computer immediately
- Do not turn it back on until it has been checked by a professional
- Contact your local computer repair shop or ask a trusted family member
Step 5: Check Your Credit Report
If the scammer got enough of your personal information (name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number), they may try to take out loans or open accounts in your name. This is called identity theft.
Check your credit report for free at:
- Experian.co.uk
- ClearScore.com
- Equifax.co.uk
Look for any accounts or credit applications you do not recognise. If you see something suspicious, contact the credit reference agency and the lender immediately.
Step 6: Tell Someone You Trust
Being scammed can feel embarrassing. Many people do not tell anyone because they feel ashamed. But talking about it helps — and it may prevent someone else from being targeted.
Tell a family member, friend, or neighbour. They can help you with the steps above and provide emotional support.
What If the Bank Says They Cannot Help?
If your bank refuses to refund you and you believe they should, you can escalate your complaint:
- Write a formal complaint to your bank
- If they still refuse, contact the Financial Ombudsman Service: call 0800 023 4567 (free) or visit financial-ombudsman.org.uk
The Ombudsman is free to use and independent. They review cases where banks have treated customers unfairly.
You are not alone. Millions of people are targeted by scams every year. Reporting what happened and getting support is the right thing to do.