← All situations Urgent — act now
Someone close to me got scammed. How do I help?
First, breathe — and be on their side. The most important thing right now is not “how could they fall for it”, but “what do we do in the next few hours”. Your kindness gets them to tell you everything, and your speed matters most for recovering the money.
First steps, right now
- Don't scold them and don't shame them. Scammers are professionals; it can happen to anyone. If they feel judged, they will shut down and hide details that matter.
- Together, calmly, find out exactly what happened: what information they gave, what amounts, to whom, and by what method (card, bank transfer, an installed app).
- If they shared banking details or sent money, call their bank now using the official number on the back of the card — block the card and ask about a payment recall.
- If they installed a "remote access" app (AnyDesk, TeamViewer) or any other app the scammer asked for, uninstall it and cut off the access; check the accounts on that phone/computer.
- Change the passwords of the affected accounts and turn on two-factor authentication. Gather the evidence (screenshots, bank statement) for the police report.
What NOT to do
- Don't let them send more money "to recover" what they lost — that is stage two of the scam.
- Don't hide the incident out of shame: reporting quickly increases the chances of recovery.
- Don't pass the numbers or accounts on to "recovery firms" that appear right away — they are often scammers too.
How to spot it next time
- A sudden change in behaviour: secrecy, unusual payments, a new "friend/advisor" they met online.
- They received calls or messages "from the bank/police" and were rushed into acting.
- They talk about a "safe investment" or about "a parcel/prize" they paid fees for.
This guide is meant to help you act fast. It does not replace official instructions from your bank, the police or the authorities. When in doubt, call the numbers above.