--- title: "I Gave a Scammer My Information — What Now?" description: "A calm, ordered checklist for the first hour and first week after sharing personal or financial details with a scammer, organized by exactly what you gave away." url: "https://www.saferetirewatch.com/answers/what-to-do-if-you-gave-scammer-information" date_modified: "2026-07-31" language: "en-US" keywords: "gave scammer my information, what to do after a scam, scammer has my social security number, gave out bank details scam, scam recovery steps" publisher: "Safe Retire Watch" --- # What should I do if I already gave a scammer my information? **Direct answer:** Act by category. If you shared card or bank details, call the fraud number on your card now and freeze the account. If you shared a Social Security or Medicare number, freeze your credit and report at IdentityTheft.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE. If you shared a password, change it and enable two-factor authentication. If you gave remote access, disconnect the device. Then report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. ## If you gave card or bank details 1. Call the fraud number printed on your card or statement — not one from the caller — and say the word 'fraud.' 2. Ask them to block the card, issue a new number, and place a watch on the account. 3. Review recent transactions with the representative and dispute anything unfamiliar in writing. 4. Change your online banking password from a different device and turn on two-factor authentication. 5. Set up alerts for new payees, large withdrawals, and international transactions. ## If you gave your Social Security number 1. Go to IdentityTheft.gov and file a report to get a personalized recovery plan. 2. Freeze your credit free at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. 3. Create your my Social Security account at ssa.gov before someone else does, and review your earnings record. 4. Watch for a fraudulent tax return; if your e-file is rejected, file IRS Form 14039. 5. Consider a Self-Lock through E-Verify to block employment misuse. ## If you gave your Medicare number 1. Call 1-800-MEDICARE and report potential compromise so the record is flagged. 2. Contact your state Senior Medicare Patrol for a free statement review. 3. Read every Medicare Summary Notice for a year and question unfamiliar suppliers or services. ## If you gave a password or a one-time code 1. Change that password immediately, starting with your email account, since email resets everything else. 2. Change it anywhere you reused it, and switch to unique passwords stored in a password manager. 3. Turn on two-factor authentication, and review account recovery settings for phone numbers or emails you do not recognize. 4. Check for forwarding rules in your email — attackers add them to intercept future codes. ## If you installed software or allowed remote access 1. Disconnect the device from Wi-Fi immediately. 2. Uninstall any remote tool such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer, or LogMeIn. 3. Change your passwords from a clean device, not the affected one. 4. Have a trusted technician review the machine before you use it for banking again. > **Then report — even if you lost nothing** > > File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. Reports feed enforcement and public alerts, and they create a paper trail your bank may need later. Reporting takes about ten minutes. ## What comes next Expect a follow-up. Victim information is resold, and the second contact is usually a 'recovery agent,' a 'fraud investigator,' or a supposed refund from the original company. No legitimate recovery service charges an upfront fee, and no government office charges for help. Keep one folder with dates, case numbers, and names — recovery is administrative work, and documentation is what shortens it. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is it too late if I gave information days ago? No. Acting later is still worth it. Credit freezes, password changes, and card replacements work at any point, and fraudulent charges can often be disputed for weeks. Time affects wire recalls and gift-card freezes most, so start with the payment method used and work outward. ### Should I close my bank account entirely? Usually not. Banks generally prefer to issue a new card number, add monitoring, or change the account number rather than close the account, which can disrupt Social Security deposits and automatic payments. Ask the fraud department which option they recommend for your situation and get the decision in writing. ### Do I need to hire someone to fix this? Almost never. IdentityTheft.gov produces free recovery plans and dispute letters, credit freezes are free by law, and the AARP Fraud Watch helpline (877-908-3360) offers free guidance. Treat any inbound offer to recover funds for a fee as a second scam. ## Sources - Federal Trade Commission — [IdentityTheft.gov](https://www.identitytheft.gov/) - Federal Trade Commission — [Report fraud](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/) - FBI IC3 — [File an internet crime complaint](https://www.ic3.gov/) ## Related pages - [Fraud recovery hub](https://www.saferetirewatch.com/scams/fraud-recovery) - [Identity theft hub](https://www.saferetirewatch.com/scams/identity-theft) - [Reporting contacts and resources](https://www.saferetirewatch.com/resources) --- Source: https://www.saferetirewatch.com/answers/what-to-do-if-you-gave-scammer-information — Safe Retire Watch.