You got scammed. Now what?

Getting scammed is deeply disorienting—emotionally, financially, and psychologically. And when shame sets in, it can keep you silent, making you feel like you’re the only one. But here’s the truth: scams are far more common than most people realize.

While you can’t change what happened, you can shape how you respond to it. This post will guide you through restoration and the steps you can take to:

• Recover your financial losses (to the extent possible)
• Protect yourself from further compromise, and
• Process the emotional aftermath and regaining confidence

Though you won’t always get a full resolution, taking action puts you back in control and that, in itself, can be a form of recovery.

Step 1: Recover what you can

1A. Gather the facts and document everything

If there’s one thing you should do immediately, it’s to document everything. Even if it feels small or insignificant, write it down. The more thorough your records, the stronger your case will be when you file reports, contact customer service, or follow up with law enforcement.

Having the following information organized and with you at all times can save you time and energy while repeating your story to various authorities:

• A detailed timeline of what happened
• Screenshots of emails, DMs, texts, or any communications from the scammer
• Receipts and transaction history, including time stamps
• Names, links, and usernames associated with the scam
• Case numbers and the names of support reps you’ve spoken to

1B. Check if you have access to recovery services

It’s possible you already have access to support or resources through your bank, credit monitoring services, employer-provided benefits or existing insurance policies.

Subscriptions like LifeLock, Aura, or Experian's identity protection services often include 1:1 fraud recovery support and coverage for certain types of scam losses. Many employers also extend benefits that include services like Allstate Identity Protection, Norton LifeLock, or ID Watchdog which can assist after cyber attacks.

1C. Report it to the right places (in order of priority)

Your bank or payment provider (Venmo, PayPal, credit card company, etc.)

Even if the transaction was authorized, fast reporting can flag the account, possibly freeze funds, and initiate a fraud investigation.

Platform on which the scam occurred

Sometimes scams originate on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, or Craigslist. Reporting it to the platform can help them take down fake accounts or listings before they scam others and may trigger internal investigations.

The police / law enforcement

File a report with your local law enforcement agency, especially if your case involves a financial loss, as you’ll likely need the case number when dealing with formal complaints.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Submit a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov for cases involving impersonation and financial loss.

This process can be exhausting as you’re told “there’s nothing we can do”, but don’t let that discourage you. Reports contribute to pattern recognition and enforcement actions to help others who might be targeted and, in some cases, they may also help you reclaim funds or protect your accounts from further compromise.

Step 2: Protect yourself from further compromise

Once you’ve reported the scam, shift into protection mode. Take the following measures so scammers can’t exploit you further or gather additional information about you.

Freeze your credit with all three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This guide can walk you through how to do so and why it’s important.

Change your passwords for any impacted or related accounts. Use built-in browser password managers on Chrome and Safari, other free services, or even paid services for more enhanced support features.

Adopt passkeys where available for further security. If unavailable, enable 2FA especially for email, banking, social media, and other accounts tied to your identity.

Run privacy and security checkups across your social accounts. Services like Block Party can help you review your digital footprint, assess what information is public, and guide you in locking it down.

Step 3: Process the emotional impact

The emotional toll of a scam can be just as challenging as the financial loss. Feeling shame, anger or paranoia are completely normal reactions to being manipulated, not signs of weakness.

But here’s the good news: healing is possible, and it starts with connection. Opening up to even one trusted person can be a powerful step toward regaining confidence and restoring your sense of control. Additionally, reading others’ stories can offer comfort while also giving practical insights from people who’ve faced similar situations.

Conclusion

Getting scammed is painful, but it doesn’t define you. Real strength is shown in how you respond.

Recovery isn’t just about reclaiming losses—it’s about taking control, protecting yourself, and building habits that keep you secure. Privacy and security aren’t one-time fixes; they’re earned through consistent, deliberate actions. In fact, by reading this blog, you’ve already taken the first step.