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If an unexpected caller or message nearly convinced you to act, stop contact and verify the claim through a channel you find independently. “Bot” can mean different things, and the contact alone does not prove it was automated or AI-generated. What matters now is what it asked you to do—and whether you shared money, information, passwords, or device access.
What should I do if I almost got scammed?
- Stop the interaction. Don’t click links, call numbers in the message, send money, share details or codes, or install software. If the person says you must act immediately, treat that urgency as a reason to pause—not proof that the claim is true.
- Verify independently. Ask what organization the person claims to represent and what problem they say needs attention. End the call or conversation, then contact the organization through its official app or website, or a number on a recent statement or the back of your card. The FTC advises against relying on top search results for phone numbers because scammers may pay for ads that display fake numbers. FTC guidance on unexpected calls explains this approach.
- Match your next steps to what happened. A near miss with no money, information, or access shared calls for stopping contact, checking the claim independently, and reporting it if you suspect a scam. If you did share or send something, use the recovery steps below.
Caller ID is not proof of identity: scammers can fake the number that appears on your screen. A caller’s knowledge of personal details also does not authenticate them; that information may have been obtained elsewhere. The FTC recommends using contact information you looked up yourself and know to be genuine. How to avoid imposter scams
How can I tell if a message or caller is a scam?
No single clue proves a contact is fraudulent, but the FTC identifies three recurring warning signs: unexpected contact, pressure to hurry, and requests to pay in ways that are difficult to reverse. A suspicious contact may show one or more of these signs; it does not have to show all three.
- Unexpected contact: Someone reaches out about a supposed account, payment, delivery, government matter, or personal emergency you did not expect.
- Pressure: They insist you must act now, threaten consequences, or tell you not to talk to anyone else. The FTC says, “No legitimate fraud department will tell you to keep the call a secret.” How to handle unexpected calls that claim your money is at risk
- Hard-to-reverse payment requests: They direct you to pay by cash, gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app. These methods can be difficult to reverse; using one does not guarantee whether money can or cannot be recovered.
- Requests for secrets or access: They ask for an account verification code, password, or remote access to your device. Don’t disclose verification codes or grant unsolicited remote access.
For an uncertain call or message, the FTC’s advice is to contact the claimed business, organization, or person using details you found independently—not a link, number, or reply path supplied by the sender. What are the signs of a scam?
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How do I verify that a call or message is really from my bank?
- Ask the caller which bank they claim to represent and what the issue is. You do not need to resolve it while you are on an unexpected call.
- Hang up. Do not use the caller’s number, a link in a text or email, or contact details they send you.
- Open your bank’s official app or type its known website address yourself, or call the number printed on your card or a recent statement.
- Explain that you received an unexpected contact and ask the bank to check whether the stated issue is real.
Keep one-time verification codes private, even if the caller claims to be helping protect your account. Do not let an unexpected caller guide you through installing remote-access software or taking control of your device. FTC advice on calls claiming your money is at risk
What should I do if I gave a scammer my information?
Take the steps that match what you disclosed or allowed. If more than one applies—for example, you sent money and shared a password—follow each relevant path.
If you sent money
Contact the bank, transfer service, payment app, or other company you used as soon as possible. Explain that the payment may have been made to a scammer and ask whether it can be stopped or reversed. Whether that is possible depends on the payment and circumstances; contact the provider promptly rather than assuming recovery is guaranteed. What to do if you were scammed
If you shared a password or account credentials
If you can still sign in, change the password and turn on two-factor authentication. Change it anywhere else you reused the same password. If you are locked out, use the account provider’s official recovery process.
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If you know it has been misused, report the identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov and follow the recovery plan for your situation. If you are unsure whether misuse has occurred, the FTC points to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach for protective steps.
If you allowed remote access to a device
Update the device’s security software, run a scan, and remove any problems it identifies. Then change exposed passwords and enable two-factor authentication. If you need help, contact the device manufacturer or a company you already know and trust—not a number supplied by the person who contacted you.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do I report a suspected scam?
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC says reports help it build cases, spot trends, and educate the public. Help the FTC fight impersonation scams
Impersonation scams caused nearly $3 billion in reported losses in 2024, according to the FTC in 2025. That figure concerns reported losses from impersonation scams; it is not a bot-specific statistic or a measure of all fraud. FTC information on impersonation scams
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