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Gadsden Investigations

U.S. Army Veteran | Licensed Private Investigator - AL Lic # 839

Scammed Online? Do THIS Immediately! | How to Report Cyber Scams & Protect Your Identity

If you've been scammed online and the criminals stole your personal information—driver’s license, phone number, email, or even crypto—this is your COMPLETE step-by-step guide to take action FAST. Watch to the end for every place you must report it, including links and phone numbers. Protect yourself and help stop cybercriminals.

🚨 STEP 1: Secure Your Devices

Before anything else, make sure the scammer no longer has access to your device.

  • Run an antivirus/malware scan: Use software like Malwarebytes or Norton.
  • Update your passwords: Especially for your email, financial accounts, social media, and online services.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all important accounts.

📞 STEP 2: Contact Your Financial Institutions Immediately

If banking or crypto details were compromised:

🏦 For Banks and Credit Cards:

  • Call your bank’s fraud department and explain the situation.
  • Request account monitoring, freezes, or new account numbers.
  • Dispute unauthorized charges immediately.

💰 For Crypto Wallets:

  • Contact the exchange or wallet provider (e.g., Coinbase, Binance, MetaMask) and report the fraud.
  • Request to lock the wallet or account if possible.

✅ Tip: Screenshots of the scam, wallet address, and transaction history are helpful when reporting.

🔐 STEP 3: Place Fraud Alerts with the Credit Bureaus

This helps prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts in your name.

Contact ONE of these agencies (they will notify the others):

✅ Ask for a free credit report and review it for suspicious activity.

🛑 STEP 4: Report Identity Theft

Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

🖥️ STEP 5: Report the Scam to Government Agencies

🇺🇸 In the U.S.:

📧 STEP 6: Report Compromised Email Accounts

If your email was hacked:

  • Contact your provider (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook).
  • Review your login history, change password, and remove suspicious forwarding rules.

Google Account Recovery: https://accounts.google.com/signin/recovery

🪪 STEP 7: Report Stolen Driver’s License

Each state’s DMV has its own process, but here are general steps:

  1. Report to your state’s DMV (search “Replace stolen driver’s license [Your State]”).
  2. File a police report if required.
  3. Request a replacement card and note it was due to fraud.

🛑 Also notify your insurance company and monitor for identity theft related to driving or insurance fraud.

📲 STEP 8: Report Phone Number Compromise

If your phone number was ported or hacked:

  • Contact your mobile provider immediately (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile).
  • Ask about port-out protection and SIM lock features.
  • Monitor for SIM swapping scams and change associated passwords.

📄 STEP 9: File a Police Report

  • Go to your local police department (or their online portal).
  • Bring evidence: screenshots, emails, texts, receipts, wallet addresses.
  • A police report can help when dealing with banks or credit bureaus.

📢 STEP 10: Report to Online Platforms

If you were scammed through:

🧾 STEP 11: Keep Records

✅ Document everything:

  • Dates you reported the fraud
  • Confirmation numbers
  • Names of agents or departments
  • Screenshots and emails
  • Police report number

Use a secure folder (Google Drive, Dropbox, or even a physical binder) to store your documents.

🔄 STEP 12: Continue Monitoring

  • Set up identity theft monitoring services (like LifeLock, Aura, or Credit Karma alerts).
  • Check your credit reports every few months.
  • Monitor your email and phone for phishing attempts.

🧠 BONUS: Educate Others

Once you've taken care of your own situation, help others avoid falling victim:

  • Share this video
  • Warn friends and family
  • Join anti-scam communities (e.g., r/scams on Reddit)

Downloadable Checklist Here