Recovery
I've been scammed
If you already paid or shared a code, do these in order. None of them requires buying a product.
1. Stop the payment
Call your bank, card issuer, payment app, or the wire service on a number you look up yourself. Ask them to stop or recall the payment. Gift-card codes usually cannot be reversed, but tell the company anyway.
2. Freeze your credit
Place a free credit freeze at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A freeze stops most new accounts from being opened in your name.
3. Change passwords and turn on two-factor login
Start with email, then bank, then anything that shares that password. Use a password manager if you have one. Do not reuse the password you just changed.
4. Report it
File at reportfraud.ftc.gov and, if money or identity was involved, at ic3.gov. Keep the confirmation numbers.
5. Watch for a second scam
Someone may call and offer to recover the money for a fee. That is another scam. The government will not ask you to pay to get your money back.
6. Ask for alerts
The weekly briefing and topic alerts are optional. They do not fix what already happened.
Affiliate slots
These are labeled slots, not recommendations. If a slot is open, it does not point at a product.