✓ YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE

Take a deep breath.

You are not the first person this happened to, and you are not in trouble. Scammers fool millions of smart people every year. Let's fix it — one step at a time, starting right now.

Your lockdown checklist — do these in order

1

Stop all contact with the scammer

Don't reply, don't argue, and never pay anything more — even if they threaten you. Block the account, number, or email right now.

2

Lock down your accounts

Change your passwords immediately, starting with your email (it's the master key to everything else). Turn on two-factor authentication everywhere it's offered.

3

Get out of the compromised space

Leave the Discord server or group chat, unfriend and report the account, and exit any game lobby or trade the scammer set up.

4

Tell a trusted adult — right now

A parent, grandparent, or teacher. Saying it out loud is the fastest way to fix it, and no one worth trusting will be mad at you for being targeted.

5

Freeze your credit (free at all 3 bureaus)

For adults and grandparents — freezing stops scammers from opening accounts in your name. Do it at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion; it's free and takes minutes. Parents can also freeze a child's credit.

6

Watch your money

Check your bank and card statements for anything you don't recognize. Call the bank's fraud line to dispute charges — the number is on the back of the card.

7

Report it

File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If personal information like a Social Security number was taken, also go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.

!

Beware the "recovery scam"

Anyone who contacts you promising to get your money back for a fee is scam #2 — scammers sell victim lists to each other. Real help never cold-calls you.