If you sent money or shared card details.
Contact the bank or payment provider immediately through its official channel. Explain what happened and ask about stopping the payment and securing the card. Recovering the money is not guaranteed.
If you entered a password or installed software.
Change the exposed password through the official website, including other accounts where you reused it. End any remote access you gave someone. If you suspect harmful software, update your security software and run a scan.
Write down what happened.
Our suggestion before speaking to a specialist: note whether you only opened a page, entered information, approved an action or installed something. Keep the message and approximate time. This makes it easier to explain the situation without trying to recall every detail while upset.
Start with a conversation.
If you are helping a relative, begin with “Thank you for telling me.” Prepare the next call and the information you need together. Our enquiry form is not an emergency channel: if money or an account is at risk, contact the relevant provider first. Afterwards, we can discuss safer settings and habits.
Further reading: FTC: What to do if you were scammed