If you think you’ve been scammed, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options. The most important thing is to act quickly to stop additional losses, protect your accounts, and create a clear paper trail. Below is a practical, step-by-step guide you can follow right away.

1) Stop communicating with the scammer—immediately.

Don’t reply to texts, emails, social messages, or phone calls—even if they promise a refund or threaten consequences. Continuing the conversation often leads to more pressure, more requests for money, or attempts to gather additional personal information. If you can, block the number/account and save any messages as evidence.

2) Contact your financial institutions (the sooner, the better).

Call your credit union/bank and any credit card company connected to the payment. If a scammer has your account details, we can help you secure access (for example, changing account numbers, replacing cards, stopping certain transactions, and reviewing recent activity). If you paid through a third party (wire service, P2P app, gift card, or cryptocurrency platform), contact that company too and ask if a payment can be stopped or reversed. It’s not always possible—but time matters.

As you talk with your financial institutions, review your recent activity for:

  • Card transactions you don’t recognize
  • Zelle/Venmo/Cash App-style transfers you didn’t send
  • Unexpected withdrawals, ACH payments, or new payees
  • Alerts about password changes or new devices

If you see anything suspicious, report it right away and ask about your options to dispute the transaction. Be ready to share dates, amounts, and how the scammer contacted you—details help speed up investigation and next steps.

3) Report the scam (even if you feel embarrassed).

Reporting helps create an official record and can help investigators connect patterns across many victims. Consider these reporting options:

  • Local law enforcement: File a report to document what happened.
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If identity theft is involved, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan.
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If the scam happened online (email, social media, website, online payment), report it at IC3.gov.

4) Change passwords and lock down your logins.

Start with your email account (it’s the “master key” for password resets), then update passwords for online banking, card apps, shopping sites, and phone carrier accounts. Use strong, unique passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication where available. If you reused the same password anywhere else, assume it’s compromised and update those accounts too.

5) Document everything while it’s fresh.

Create a folder (digital or paper) and save:

  • Screenshots of messages, emails, ads, and profiles
  • Phone numbers, email addresses, usernames, and websites used
  • Receipts and confirmation numbers (wire, gift card, P2P, crypto, etc.)
  • Dates/times and a short timeline of what happened

6) Protect your credit (fraud alert and/or credit freeze).

If you shared personal information (like your Social Security number) or suspect identity theft, pull your credit reports and consider extra protection:

  • Check your credit reports: Get free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and look for accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize.
  • Place a fraud alert: This asks lenders to take extra steps to verify it’s really you before opening new credit.
  • Consider a credit freeze: This restricts access to your credit report to help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name. You’ll need to place a freeze with each credit bureau.

For a guided, personalized checklist (plus sample letters), report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov.

7) Monitor closely for weeks (and months) afterward.

Scammers often try again—or sell your information to other criminals. Watch your accounts, credit reports, email, and mail for anything unusual (new bills, password reset emails you didn’t request, or missing mail). If something looks off, act quickly again.

8) Tell someone you trust—and ask for support.

Scams can feel isolating, but you don’t have to handle it alone. Share what happened with a trusted friend or family member. If you feel overwhelmed, consider victim support resources like AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

9) Don’t blame yourself.

Scams are crimes—and they’re designed to trick good people. Fraudsters use urgency, fear, and “official-sounding” messages to get you to act fast. Reporting what happened helps protect you and helps stop the same scam from reaching someone else.

10) Spread the word (without sharing personal details).

If you’re comfortable, let friends and family know what happened—especially the tactics the scammer used (spoofed phone number, fake invoice, “your account is locked” text, etc.). The more we talk about scams, the harder they are to pull off.

Need help right now? Contact Mid Oregon Credit Union. If you think your Mid Oregon account, card, or Online Banking credentials may be at risk, reach out to us as soon as possible. The sooner we know, the faster we can help you secure your accounts and talk through next steps.

Quick checklist: What to do in the first 24 hours

  • Stop contact, block the scammer, and don’t send more money.
  • Call your financial institutions and report the activity.
  • Change your email and banking passwords; turn on multi-factor authentication.
  • Save screenshots/receipts and write a quick timeline.
  • Report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and/or IC3.gov; if identity theft is involved, start at IdentityTheft.gov.
  • Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and consider a fraud alert or credit freeze.