Falling for a Black Friday scam can be scary but knowing what to do next can help lessen the damage and protect your finances and personal information.
If you think you’ve been scammed, follow these steps to regain control and safeguard yourself.
How To Protect Yourself After Falling For a Scam
Start by securing your financial accounts. If you shared credit card or banking details, immediately contact your institution or bank. Explain the situation and request to freeze or cancel the card.
Many offer fraud protection and can help dispute unauthorized charges. If you used a digital wallet like PayPal or Apple Pay, report the issue to their support team and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.
Change All Your Passwords
Change your passwords right away, especially if the scam involved sharing login credentials. Update passwords for all accounts that may be affected. If you use the same password for other accounts, update each account by using strong, unique combinations for each. Consider using a password manager for secure storage.
If the scammer gained access to an important account, like your email, enable multifactor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of protection.
Report Scams to the FTC
Report the scam to the right place. You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you suspect identity theft, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center for guidance. If the scam involved a social media or online marketplace, report the incident to the platform so they can investigate and take action against the scammer.
If personal information, such as your Social Security number, was compromised, monitor your credit reports for unusual activity. You can request free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. To prevent further issues, consider placing a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your file to stop unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name.
Learn From Your Mistakes
Finally, don’t be embarrassed and learn from the experience to avoid future scams. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, ignore unsolicited messages, and stay away from unfamiliar websites.
Always double-check URLs and avoid clicking on links in unexpected emails or texts. Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches, use antivirus and antimalware software, and enable MFA on all your accounts.
Stay Vigilant
While falling for a scam can be scary, acting quickly can help you recover and prevent further harm. Staying wary and taking proactive measures will keep you safer while shopping online in the future.
