Fraud Next Steps is an independent website. We are not the IRS, Social Security, the FTC, or your bank.
Fraud Next Steps

Just got scammed? Here's what to do next.

A strange charge on your card. A caller who said your Social Security number was being misused. Calls that won't stop. Pick what happened below and follow the steps, in order.

Call (800) 555-0199 Show me the steps
A woman at her kitchen table on the phone, holding her debit card

What happened?

Choose the closest match. Do the steps in order. The first ones matter most.

A charge you didn't make

Debit card fraud takes money straight from your account, so speed matters more than with a credit card.

The back of a bank card with the customer service phone number highlighted
The phone number on the back of your card goes straight to your bank. It's the safe number to call, not one from a text or email.
  1. Call your bank today. Use the number on the back of your card. Say the charge is fraud and ask them to lock or replace the card.
  2. Dispute the charge in writing. Ask the bank how to file a written dispute and note the date you reported it. Reporting quickly limits how much you can lose on a debit card.
  3. Check your other accounts. Look back at least 60 days on every card and account for small "test" charges. Scammers often try a few dollars first.
  4. Pull your free credit reports. Get them at AnnualCreditReport.com and look for accounts you didn't open.
  5. Report it. File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. It helps if the problem spreads.

Monitoring watches for new accounts, credit changes, and your info showing up in data breaches, so you hear about the next problem sooner.

Call (800) 555-0199
A hand holding a smartphone

After you've handled today, think about next time

Our partner, EverGuard, offers identity protection that keeps watch after the dust settles.

Credit and identity monitoring

Alerts when new accounts, credit inquiries, or changes show up under your name.

Breach and dark web alerts

Tells you when your email, SSN, or other details appear in a known data breach.

Help if it happens again

Fraud restoration support and identity theft insurance, with coverage that varies by plan.

No service can stop every scam or prevent all identity theft. Monitoring helps you find out sooner and gives you someone to call. Insurance is underwritten by a third party and subject to its terms.

Prefer a call back?

Leave your name and number and an EverGuard specialist will call you. Or call now at (800) 555-0199.

What happens when you call

  1. A real person answers Tell them what happened in your own words.
  2. They review your situation They explain what monitoring would watch for in your case.
  3. You decide Sign up if a plan fits, or don't. There's a 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.

Latest articles

Plain-language guides on spotting scams and recovering from fraud. See all articles

How this site makes money

Fraud Next Steps is an independent site. We partner with EverGuard, an identity theft protection company, and we may be paid when you call, request a call, or sign up. That never changes the checklists above, which are free to use whether or not you buy anything. We are not affiliated with any government agency, bank, or credit bureau.