{"id":100680,"date":"2025-08-13T07:29:05","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T15:29:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/?p=100680"},"modified":"2025-09-04T16:48:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T00:48:35","slug":"what-to-do-if-targeted-by-a-scam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/blog\/what-to-do-if-targeted-by-a-scam\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Do If You\u2019ve Been Targeted by a Scam: 7 Steps to Protect Yourself and Recover"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Discovering that you\u2019ve been scammed can feel overwhelming. You might be shocked, confused, or unsure what to do next. These are natural reactions\u2014and you\u2019re not alone. Millions of people experience scams every year, and the emotional fallout can be just as distressing as any financial loss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scammers today are highly sophisticated. Many operate as part of organized criminal networks and use advanced tools to deceive people. Their tactics often involve personal details from data breaches, realistic-looking websites that mimic trusted brands, fake customer reviews, and even sponsored ads on social media or search engines. Some create convincing fake profiles that match your interests or needs. Increasingly, they\u2019re using generative AI to craft polished emails, videos, and deepfake content that appear entirely legitimate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\nblockquote {background: #ececec; padding-right: 10px;}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"padding-top:25px;\"><strong>\u201cScammers are exploiting trust at scale, using technology that can fool even the most experienced internet users. Instead of blaming victims, we need to focus on education, support, and smarter prevention.\u201d<\/strong><em>&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"padding-bottom:25px;\"><strong>\u2014 Lynette Owens, VP, Global Consumer Education, Trend Micro<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Scams are designed to deceive even the most cautious person. Whether you\u2019re tech-savvy, a professional in your field, or consider yourself generally skeptical, being impacted by a scam is not a reflection of your intelligence or judgment. It means someone used sophisticated, deceptive methods specifically designed to bypass your defenses.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before taking action, give yourself a moment to take stock. Try to recall what happened and what information or access may have been shared. Then, follow the steps below to begin securing your accounts, protecting your identity, and moving forward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.download-pdf {\n   padding: 20px;\n   border: 1px solid #ddd; \n   background: #ececec; \n   max-width: 600px;\n   margin: 1em auto;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"download-pdf\">\n<p class=\"mt-0\"><strong>Download PDF Tip Sheet<\/strong><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"194\" src=\"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/thumbnail-tipsheets-impacted-by-scam.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-100702\" align=\"left\" style=\"border:1px solid #999; box-shadow: 3px 3px 0 #999; margin: 0 20px 30px 0\"\/><p class=\"p-f18\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"color:#D71921;\">IMPACTED BY A SCAM?<\/span><br \/>7 Steps to Protect Yourself and Start Your Recovery<\/p>\n<ul class=\"pdf-download-targeted-scam\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0 !important; padding-bottom: 0 !important;\">\n<li style=\"list-style: none;\"><a href=\"\/internet-safety\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Impacted-by-a-Scam-7-Steps-to-Recover-AUS.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Australia<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style: none;\"><a href=\"\/internet-safety\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Impacted-by-a-Scam-7-Steps-to-Recover-CAN.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Canada<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style: none;\"><a href=\"\/internet-safety\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Impacted-by-a-Scam-7-Steps-to-Recover-UK.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">United Kingdom<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style: none;\"><a href=\"\/internet-safety\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Impacted-by-a-Scam-7-Steps-to-Recover-US.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">United States<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><br \/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<!-- Load jQuery from CDN -->\n<script src=\"https:\/\/code.jquery.com\/jquery-3.7.1.min.js\"><\/script>\n\n<style>\n.accordion {\n  border: 1px solid #ddd;\n  border-radius: 5px;\n  overflow: hidden;\n  max-width: 600px;\n  margin: 1em auto;\n}\n\n.accordion-item button {\n  background-color: #f7f7f7;\n  border: none;\n  outline: none;\n  width: 100%;\n  text-align: left;\n  padding: 15px;\n  font-size: 16px;\n  cursor: pointer;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\n  transition: background-color 0.3s ease;\n  display: flex;\n  justify-content: space-between;\n  align-items: center;\n}\n\n.accordion-item button:hover {\n  background-color: #e9e9e9;\n}\n\n.accordion-item button.active {\n  background-color: #ddd;\n}\n\n.caret {\n  font-size: 14px;\n  transition: transform 0.3s ease;\n}\n\n.caret.up {\n  transform: rotate(180deg);\n}\n\n.accordion-content {\n  display: none;\n  padding: 15px;\n  background-color: white;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"accordion\">\n  <div class=\"accordion-item\">\n    <button>\n      How do I know if I\u2019ve been scammed?\n      <span class=\"caret\">&#9660;<\/span>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"accordion-content\">\n      <p>If you\u2019ve sent money, shared personal information, or clicked a link and now feel uneasy, it\u2019s worth taking steps to protect yourself\u2014even if you\u2019re not sure yet whether it was a scam. Scammers often leave people second-guessing what just happened, and that uncertainty is a common part of the experience. <\/p>\n      <p>When in doubt, it\u2019s better to be cautious. The worst-case scenario is that you\u2019ve updated your credentials, strengthened your account security, and taken a close look at your finances\u2014things that are useful to do regularly anyway. Taking action gives you peace of mind and helps ensure you stay protected moving forward. <\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"accordion-item\">\n    <button>\n      Can I get my money back after a scam?\n      <span class=\"caret\">&#9660;<\/span>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"accordion-content\">\n      <p>In some cases, yes\u2014especially if you act quickly. Contact your bank, credit card provider, or payment service as soon as possible. Some financial institutions can reverse fraudulent transactions, issue chargebacks, or help you secure your accounts. If you paid with a gift card or wire transfer, contact the company immediately to ask if the transaction can be stopped or refunded.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"accordion-item\">\n    <button>\n      What if I shared my password or clicked on a link that seemed legitimate at the time?\n      <span class=\"caret\">&#9660;<\/span>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"accordion-content\">\n      <p>If you entered your password or account details\u2014or clicked on a link that now gives you second thoughts\u2014it\u2019s important to take steps to protect yourself. These actions are common ways scammers gain access to personal information or install harmful software, often without the person realizing it in the moment.<\/p>\n      <p>Start by changing your passwords, especially for your email, banking, and shopping accounts. If you\u2019ve reused that password elsewhere, update each account with a strong, unique password. Wherever possible, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) to add an extra layer of protection.<\/p>\n      <p>If clicking the link led to a download or took you to a site that didn\u2019t seem right, your device may have been exposed to malware\u2014such as programs that record keystrokes or capture your personal information in the background. Run a full scan using trusted antivirus or anti-malware software to check for and remove any threats.<\/p>\n      <p>To reduce your risk going forward, consider using a free tool like Trend Micro ScamCheck. It can help you review links, messages, and even images before you interact with them\u2014giving you an added layer of protection in real time.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"accordion-item\">\n    <button>\n      Should I report a scam if I didn\u2019t lose money?\n      <span class=\"caret\">&#9660;<\/span>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"accordion-content\">\n      <p>Yes. Reporting helps track scam patterns and can prevent others from being impacted\u2014even if you avoided financial loss yourself.<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\njQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n  $(\".accordion-item button\").on(\"click\", function() {\n    var $button = $(this);\n    var $content = $button.next(\".accordion-content\");\n    var isActive = $button.hasClass(\"active\");\n\n    \/\/ Close all\n    $(\".accordion-item button\").removeClass(\"active\");\n    $(\".accordion-content\").slideUp();\n    $(\".caret\").removeClass(\"up\");\n\n    \/\/ Open clicked one\n    if (!isActive) {\n      $button.addClass(\"active\");\n      $content.slideDown();\n      $button.find(\".caret\").addClass(\"up\");\n    }\n  });\n});\n<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Protect Yourself with Trend Micro ScamCheck&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the increasing number and sophistication of scams, staying one step ahead is more crucial than ever. Unfortunately, antivirus software alone isn\u2019t enough.\u202f<strong>Introducing the newly updated Trend Micro\u202f<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/api.link.trendmicro.com\/events\/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&amp;source=iskf_blog&amp;utm_content=what-to-do-if-targeted-by-a-scam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ScamCheck<\/a><\/strong>!\u202f&nbsp;<\/strong>Available for both Android and iOS, ScamCheck offers comprehensive protection from deceptive phishing scams, scam and spam text messages, deepfakes, and more:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Scam Check:<\/strong>\u202fInstantly analyze emails, texts, URLs, screenshots, and phone numbers with our AI-powered scam detection technology. Stay secure and scam-free.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SMS Filter &amp; Call Block<\/strong>: Say goodbye to unwanted spam and scam calls and messages. Minimize daily disruptions and reinforce your defenses against phishing.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>AI Video Scan<\/strong>: Detect deepfakes in real-time during video calls, alerting you if anyone is using AI face-swapping technology to alter their appearance.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Web Guard<\/strong>: Surf the web safely, protected from malicious websites and annoying ads.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To download Trend Micro\u202f<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/api.link.trendmicro.com\/events\/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&amp;source=iskf_blog&amp;utm_content=what-to-do-if-targeted-by-a-scam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ScamCheck<\/a><\/strong>\u202for to learn more, click the button below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-center\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/api.link.trendmicro.com\/events\/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&#038;source=iskf&#038;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"btn btn-danger btn-lg btn-block w-100 d-none d-lg-block interstate\">Get ScamCheck<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/api.link.trendmicro.com\/events\/landing-page?product_id=4cc29&#038;source=iskf&#038;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"btn btn-danger btn-block w-100 d-md-block d-lg-none interstate\">Get ScamCheck<\/a>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discovering that you\u2019ve been scammed can feel overwhelming. You might be shocked, confused, or unsure what to do next. These are natural reactions\u2014and you\u2019re not alone. Millions of people experience scams every year, and the emotional fallout can be just as distressing as any financial loss.&nbsp; Scammers today are highly sophisticated. Many operate as part [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":100681,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[762,3,4],"tags":[840,746,839,841,829],"class_list":["post-100680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adults","category-for-parents","category-for-teachers","tag-fraud","tag-scam","tag-scam-protection","tag-scamcheck","tag-trend-micro-scamcheck","wpautop"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100680"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100903,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100680\/revisions\/100903"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trendmicro.com\/internet-safety\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}