Staying Safe Online · Scams & Fake Pop-ups · Lesson 4 of 5

If You Already Called or Paid

Calm, clear steps to take if a scammer already got through.

Lock the scammer out

If you already called the number or let someone in, take a breath. This happens to smart, careful people every day. There is a lot you can still do.

Scammers often ask you to install a remote access app. This is a program that lets another person see and control your computer from far away. Real ones exist, like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, but scammers misuse them.

Do these steps in order:

1. Hang up or close the chat. Don't call back, even if they call again.
2. Disconnect from the internet. Turn off Wi-Fi from the network icon on the taskbar, or unplug the internet cable. This cuts off their access.
3. Remove any app they asked you to install. Open Settings, then Apps, find it, and choose Uninstall.
4. Run a scan. Open Windows Security from the Start menu and run a full scan.

On a Mac, turn off Wi-Fi from the menu bar. To remove an app, drag it from the Applications folder to the Trash.

If they had control of your computer for a while, ask a trusted helper or a local repair shop to check it. Microsoft says you may want to reset the computer if scammers got in.

Protect your money and tell someone

Once the scammer is cut off, protect your accounts and your money.

1. Change your passwords. Start with email and banking. If you can, use a different device that the scammer never touched.
2. Call your bank or card company. Use the number on the back of your card. Tell them what happened. They can block the card, watch for odd charges and help you dispute a payment.
3. If you paid with a gift card, call the company that made the card right away. Keep the card and the receipt.
4. Report it. In the US, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at ic3.gov. Other countries have their own places to report scams.

Reports help stop scammers and warn others. Write down what happened while you still remember it: the phone number, the web address, the date, and how much you paid.

Watch out for a second scam. Some scammers call back later, offering to "get your money back" for a fee. That is another trick. Real help won't ask you to pay first.

Finally, tell your family or friends. There is no shame in it. Scammers are skilled at fooling people, and talking about it helps everyone stay safe.