What to do first
- Pause the conversation. Do not pay, click a link, share a verification code, or allow device access because someone says you must act immediately. It is okay to hang up or stop replying.
- Verify independently. Find the organization’s contact information on an official website, account statement, card, or trusted app. Do not use a number or link supplied by the unexpected caller or message.
- Ask a trusted person to help. A second person can slow down the situation and help locate a verified contact route. Choose someone who will listen without judgment.
- Act through the verified route. Contact the affected bank, account provider, agency, or local service only after confirming how to reach it. Ask what protective steps may be available.
Warning signs worth slowing down for
- An unexpected person demands immediate payment or says you must keep the request secret.
- The caller claims to be a government employee, bank worker, technology company, utility, relative, or lawyer but discourages independent verification.
- Someone requests gift cards, cryptocurrency, cash by courier, a wire transfer, or access to a computer.
- A message asks for passwords, verification codes, Social Security information, bank details, or remote access.
- Someone promises to recover previously lost money in exchange for an upfront fee.
A warning sign does not prove that every similar contact is fraudulent. It means you should stop and verify the claim using information you find yourself.
If money or information was already shared
There may still be useful steps. Contact the affected bank, payment provider, account provider, or device-support company promptly through a trusted route and explain what happened. Ask what protections or account changes are available. Keep records such as dates, payment details, and screenshots in a private place.
Use the guide that matches what happened:
- What to do after sending money
- What to do after sharing personal information
- What to do after possible remote device access
Scrammer cannot promise an investigation, financial recovery, or representation.
Who may be able to help
- A bank or payment provider may explain available payment or account-protection steps. Results vary.
- Adult Protective Services programs receive reports involving suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older or vulnerable adults. Eligibility and procedures vary by state.
- Local police or a sheriff’s office may accept non-emergency reports; local procedures differ.
- FTC ReportFraud accepts consumer fraud reports and provides next-step information.
- Local legal aid may offer civil legal information or help depending on location, issue, eligibility, and resources.
Official sources
- FTC: Addressing Scams Affecting Older AdultsOfficial education and outreach resources. Last reviewed September 19, 2026.
- FTC: What To Do if You Were ScammedGeneral response steps organized by what was shared or paid. Last reviewed September 19, 2026.
- CFPB: Help for responding to elder financial abuseDirectory of local, state, legal, and federal resources. Last reviewed August 23, 2026.