What To Do If You've Been Scammed
Step-by-step guidance for every situation. Choose your scenario below.
What To Do Right Now
The first minute after you realize something is wrong sets the whole outcome. Stay calm and follow these.
Stop & Breathe
Do not reply, do not click, do not transfer. Scammers use panic to short-circuit your judgment.
Preserve Everything
Screenshot the message, save the sender number/email, and keep transaction IDs — this is your evidence.
If Money Left Your Account
Call your bank or card issuer immediately to freeze the transaction and request a chargeback.
Secure Your Accounts
Change passwords and turn on 2FA, especially if you clicked a link or shared credentials.
Important
Scam Check cannot recover lost money. It is an analysis tool that helps you identify risks. If you have lost money, contact your bank immediately — time is critical.
What situation are you in?
🚨 "I Lost Money" — Emergency Action Playbook
Follow these steps in order. Speed matters — the sooner you act, the better the chance of recovery.
- Call your bank or card issuer NOW. Ask them to freeze the transaction and initiate a chargeback or recall.
- File a cybercrime report with your national authority using the helplines listed below.
- Preserve ALL evidence — screenshots, transaction IDs, chat logs, email headers, and the scammer's phone number or profile.
- Change all your passwords and enable 2FA on every financial and email account.
- Report the scammer's accounts to the platforms they used (WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, etc.).
- If you shared personal documents (ID, PAN, Aadhaar, passport), contact the issuing authority to flag potential misuse.
Official Helplines & Reporting
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
Ministry of Home Affairs (Government of India)
Official Indian government portal to report financial cyber fraud, online scams, and cybercrimes.
Visit Official Site →Sanchar Saathi (Chakshu Portal)
Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
Official portal to report suspicious phone calls, fraudulent SMS messages, and fake WhatsApp numbers.
Visit Official Site →Following Up So It Doesn't Happen Again
Reporting is a strong start — closing the loop protects you and everyone the scammer might target next.
Watch for 72 Hours
Monitor your accounts for unusual activity over the next few days after any compromise.
Update Everywhere
Change any other account using the same or similar password as the one you exposed.
Warn People Close to You
Tell family and colleagues about the scam so the scammer cannot use your contact list next.
Keep the Paper Trail
Store chargeback reference numbers, police FIR numbers, and case IDs for follow-up.