What To Do If You Were Scammed
Being scammed is a stressful and often embarrassing experience. You're not alone — millions of people are defrauded online every year. Here's a clear, practical guide to follow immediately after you realize something has gone wrong.
Stop all contact with the scammer
Do not send any more money, regardless of what the scammer says. Block them on all platforms. Preserve — but do not respond to — any remaining messages.
Document everything immediately
Take screenshots of all conversations, listings, payment receipts, and profiles before they can be deleted. Note dates, times, amounts, usernames, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Contact your bank or payment platform
Report the transaction immediately. While reversal is not guaranteed for peer-to-peer payments like Zelle, some banks may investigate. For credit card transactions, initiate a dispute. Do this as quickly as possible.
File a report with the FTC
Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Your report helps the FTC identify patterns and take action against scam operations.
File a complaint with the FBI's IC3
Go to ic3.gov to file an Internet Crime Complaint. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center tracks and investigates online fraud. Include all documentation.
Report to your local police
File a police report. Even if local law enforcement cannot immediately investigate, a police report number is often required for insurance claims and further legal action.
Report to the platform where the scam occurred
Report the scammer's account on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Cash App, etc. This helps get the account removed and protects future victims.
Submit a report on ScamAlertDB
Help warn others by submitting a report here. Our moderation team will review it before publication. Include as much relevant detail as possible — phone numbers, usernames, and platform details help others identify the same actor.
A note on recovery
Recovery of funds from peer-to-peer payment scams (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App) is not guaranteed and often not possible. However, documenting and reporting your case is still important — it protects others, helps law enforcement build cases, and creates a record in the event legal proceedings arise.