If you have realized you already sent money to scammers, read out a code from a text message, or clicked a fake link and are afraid you have lost access to your account, speed matters most right now. In the first minutes and hours after fraud, you can still stop further losses, and sometimes recover part of the money. This article is not about spotting a scammer - it is about the concrete steps to take once it has already happened.
A quick word on current scam patterns
Scammers keep changing their scripts, but a few patterns show up most often lately: a call or message from a supposed "bank security department" asking you to confirm a transaction, an email or text with a link to a fake login page, or a request to install a "remote help" app that lets a stranger see your phone screen. If you recognize one of these and have already done something you regret, do not waste time blaming yourself - move straight to the steps below.
The first minutes: cut off access to your money
Block your card or account immediately
Open your bank's app and look for the card-block button, usually shown as a small lock icon next to the picture of your card on the home screen. Blocking a card through the app takes only seconds and is the fastest way to stop further charges. If you cannot get into the app (for example, scammers have already changed your password), call the bank's hotline right away.
Call the bank's official hotline
The hotline number is always printed on the back of your card. Do not search for a number inside a text message that claims to be from your bank, and do not call a number the scammers themselves gave you - it may lead straight back to them. Explain what happened to the operator and ask them to urgently block your card and account, and if possible, stop the specific transaction before it finishes processing.
If you gave someone access through a "remote help" app, turn off Wi-Fi and mobile data on your phone right after calling the bank. This cuts the connection a stranger may still be using.
Within the first 24 hours
Change your passwords and PIN
Change your online and mobile banking password, and your card PIN, if there is any chance someone saw it. Do this from a different, safe device if your phone itself may be compromised. If you reused the same password anywhere else (email, other apps), change that too - scammers often check whether a stolen password works somewhere else.
File a police report
Report the fraud to the police as soon as possible. You will need: a statement showing the suspicious transaction, screenshots of the message or call (if you have them), and the phone number or link used to contact you. Even if you are not sure the money can be recovered, a police report is often required by the bank itself, which may ask for a case number before reviewing your claim.
Keep every piece of evidence
Do not delete texts, emails, screenshots, or call history, even if they are unpleasant to look at. Note the date and time of the transaction, the amount, and the recipient's name if you know it. These details will matter to both the police and the bank when they review your case.
Will you get your money back? An honest look
It is important to be realistic here. If you yourself confirmed the transaction (entered a text-message code, gave out your card details, or approved it in the app), the bank will generally treat it as an operation the account holder authorized, and a refund is not guaranteed. That said, many banks have an internal process for reviewing fraud cases and can sometimes recover part of the amount, especially if you acted fast enough to stop the transaction before it completed.
If money was taken through an online store or service you never actually used (an unauthorized charge you did not approve at all), you have the right to dispute the transaction, sometimes called a chargeback. You can file this through a branch or the bank's support line, and the bank is required to review it.
Expect the review to take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The bank may ask follow-up questions during that time - this is normal. Answer honestly and provide every piece of evidence you have.
If scammers gained full access to your main account and the bank has recommended opening a new one, you can compare current personal account options on this page to choose a bank for a fresh, separate account.