What to Do After Sharing Information With a Scammer

A practical recovery sequence if you may have shared personal information, card details, passwords or account access.

Use the steps below to slow the situation down, separate the claim from the pressure around it and keep a clearer record of what you checked and what you decided to do next.

Work out what was exposed

List exactly what you shared: a password, card number, security code, identity information, device access or payment.

Protect the highest-risk accounts first

Use trusted routes to secure affected accounts, change compromised credentials and review any security settings that may have been altered.

Contact relevant providers independently

If payment or account access may be involved, contact the relevant bank, card provider, email provider or service through an official route.

Preserve the evidence

Keep messages, screenshots, transaction details, numbers, links and a timeline of what you did. Do not delete the only copy in embarrassment or frustration.

Watch for follow-up scams

People who have already engaged can be targeted again with fake recovery services or claims that money can be returned for another fee.