Quick answer
Send the right evidence to the platform, payment provider and local authority.
- Start with: Stop further contact and payment
- Finish with: Track reference numbers
- Pause if: Do not confront the scammer
Primary sources for this guide: FTC: Report fraud; CFPB: Who to contact about a scam or fraud. Check the source that applies to your location and situation before acting.
Know when to escalate: If the situation involves immediate danger, suspected crime, serious health symptoms or a deadline with major legal or financial consequences, contact the appropriate local emergency service, official body or qualified professional.
A step-by-step plan
Stop further contact and payment
End the conversation and contact a payment provider through its official route if money or account access may still be at risk.
If you also opened a link or shared credentials, take the containment steps in What to Do After Clicking a Scam Link.
Capture durable evidence
Save dates, usernames, payment references and original messages. Preserve files without reopening suspicious attachments or exposing unrelated personal details.
If a suspicious message is part of the problem, use the Scam Message Red-Flag Checker.
Report through official channels
Report to the platform involved, the payment service and the appropriate authority for your location. Each channel addresses a different part of the harm.
Track reference numbers
Store confirmation emails and case numbers together. A simple log makes follow-up easier and prevents repeated explanations.
Common mistakes and warning signs
Use these checks as reasons to slow down and verify the situation. One warning sign alone does not settle every case.
- Do not confront the scammer
- Redact unrelated personal data
- Reporting does not guarantee recovery
Progress checkpoints
| Checkpoint | What you should have |
|---|---|
| Before acting | Stop further contact and payment |
| Before finishing | Track reference numbers |
| Reason to pause | Do not confront the scammer |
Final checklist
Checklist state stays in this browser tab and is not sent to Help.You.
Sources and further verification
Rules and official processes vary by country and can change. Use the responsible organization for your location and situation. These starting points may cover a different jurisdiction.
Help.You editors structured this page around the task sequence, reviewed it for avoidable risk and checked that its claims stay within general informational scope. Read our content process.