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- Uh oh. You’ve been scammed. Now what?
Uh oh. You’ve been scammed. Now what?
Breathe deep and act quickly. The key to limiting damage from a scam is to know the steps to take — and to take them right away.
Getting scammed is nothing to feel bad, embarrassed, or ashamed about. It happens to people every day because scammers have gotten really good and they have more powerful tools than ever. Odds are, someone close to you has been scammed, whether they’ve told you or not.
It’s so important to get out of those feelings and into action because the quicker you act, the more you can limit the harm. Here’s what to do.
1. Call your bank or card issuer right away
Call the number on your card or use the official app. Some transfers can be stopped if reported quickly. And you’ll want to freeze your credit or debit card fast.
If you think someone used your Devoted coverage fraudulently, call us at 1-800-338-6833 (TTY 711). How would you know? Any time you get an Explanation of Benefits (EOB), review it closely to make sure it only ever lists care and services that you actually received.
2. Secure your accounts
Here’s how:
- Change your passwords, starting with your email and financial accounts.
- Turn on alerts for all your financial accounts so you’ll know right away about any suspicious activity.
- Use a password manager, like 1Password, to help you create secure, unique logins for all your accounts.
- Turn on two-factor authentication to make accounts more secure. To login, you’ll need a password (factor 1) and a one-time code (factor 2) that you get by phone, text, or email.
- If you gave someone remote access to your device, power the device down. Then, have a professional check it for you. Go to a local repair shop. The store where you bought it might be able to help too.
3. Freeze your credit or place a fraud alert
A credit freeze locks your credit report to prevent someone from opening new accounts in your name. A fraud alert requires lenders to confirm your identity before opening a new account in your name.
4. Review your credit reports for unusual activity
Get a free copy of your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.
5. Report the scam
Go to IdentityTheft.gov or call the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-438-4338 for a recovery plan. They might connect you with the FBI or the DOJ Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) for a case manager.
6. Look out for follow-up scams
Once you've been scammed, it opens a new avenue for fraudsters: offering to recover lost money for a fee. Trusted, legit agencies never charge to recover your funds.
Not sure where to start? Reach out to Senior Medicare Patrol (1-877-808-2468). They offer free counseling and help for Medicare beneficiaries.