Realizing you’ve been targeted by a tech support scammer is a jarring experience. Whether they got access to your computer, your bank account, or just your time — the steps you take in the next few hours can make a significant difference. Here’s what to do.
Step 1: Disconnect Immediately
If the scammer still has remote access to your computer, cut the connection right away. You can do this by disconnecting from your Wi-Fi, unplugging your ethernet cable, or simply shutting the computer down. Don’t worry about being polite — just stop the session.
Step 2: Don’t Pay Anything Else
If they’re asking for payment and you haven’t sent anything yet, don’t. If they’ve asked for gift cards and you’ve already purchased them but haven’t given the codes — don’t give the codes. Once a gift card code is shared, the money is essentially gone. Stop the transaction at whatever point you can.
Step 3: Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Company
If you shared any financial information or made a payment, call your bank or card issuer immediately. Explain what happened. Many banks have fraud departments that can reverse charges or freeze accounts to prevent further losses. Time is critical here — the sooner you call, the better.
Step 4: Change Your Passwords
If the scammer had access to your screen — even for a few minutes — assume they may have seen your passwords, email, or banking sites. Change passwords for your email first, then your bank, then any other important accounts. Use a device the scammer didn’t access to do this if possible.
Step 5: Have Your Computer Checked
Remote access tools can sometimes leave behind software that allows future access. Have a trusted IT professional review your computer to make sure nothing was installed. LurkAlert’s team can help with exactly this kind of post-incident review.
Step 6: Report It
Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. Your report helps authorities track these operations and potentially protect others.
Step 7: Tell Someone
Shame is a scammer’s most powerful long-term weapon. It keeps victims silent, which lets scammers keep operating. Tell a family member, a friend, or your community. You didn’t do anything wrong — you were targeted by a professional con artist. The more people talk about it, the harder these scams become to run.
