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Overview
If you've fallen victim to a phishing scam, don't panic! There are steps you can take to protect yourself and your accounts. If you act quickly, you may be able to avoid serious losses.
Instructions
If you revealed personal information to a phisher...
- Immediately change your password. If you use this password on other accounts, change the password for those accounts as well. To avoid any cascading breaches in the future, make sure the password for each account is unique.
- If you provided any banking or credit card information, contact your bank to report the incident. They will usually provide a hot line number on the back of your credit or bank card.
- Consider putting a lock on your credit reports (Transunion, Equifax, Experian, and Innovis) to prevent anyone from opening new credit cards with your information. You should absolutely do this if you revealed your Social Security Number.
If your information has been used fraudulently...
- Report any loss of money or fraudulent use of your information by submitting a fraud report to the FTC and filing a police report with your local police.
- Carefully check your bank statements and report any fraudulent charges to your bank.
- Close any accounts that have been opened in your name.
- Follow the Federal Trade Commission's advice at identitytheft.gov.