Recognize Scams. Take Action. Stay Secure.

Stop all contact immediately, save any evidence (messages, receipts, emails), and report the incident to your bank or financial provider. Then follow the steps on our Action page for a full checklist.

Recovery depends on the type of scam and how payment was made. Sometimes banks or credit card companies can reverse fraudulent charges, but often funds sent via cryptocurrency or wire transfer are difficult to recover. Beware of anyone promising guaranteed recovery — that’s often a second scam.

Yes. Even if you feel embarrassed or think nothing can be done, reporting helps law enforcement track patterns and warn others. Use your country’s official reporting channels (e.g., Action Fraud in the UK, IC3 in the US, Scamwatch in Australia).

Common red flags include secrecy, pressure to act quickly, promises of guaranteed returns, requests to move conversations off the platform, and requests for upfront payments or “fees.”

Yes. Romance scams are one of the fastest-growing online fraud types, often targeting people’s emotions to build trust before asking for money. They affect all ages and backgrounds.