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Stressed person staring at a laptop with a red online fraud alert screen, illustrating the panic of being scammed and the need for immediate recovery steps.

I Got Scammed: The Recovery Guide

Your heart drops. Your stomach feels like it’s tied in a knot. You just realized that the “opportunity” you clicked on, the “support agent” you spoke to, or the “buyer” you trusted wasn’t real.

Stop.

Take a deep breath.

If you are reading this, you are likely in a state of panic. You feel embarrassed, angry, and scared. That is exactly how scammers want you to feel. Panic makes us make mistakes. Panic makes us move too fast.

I am Yhang Mhany. I founded Earn More Cash Today because I want to help you to feel safe online while building financial freedom. But there is no point in making extra money if you can’t keep it safe.

This is not a lecture. This is your emergency battle plan.

We are going to secure your accounts, attempt to recover what was lost, and report the criminals responsible.

Why You Need to Act Now

In the world of cybersecurity, time is money. Literally.

When a scammer gets your information or your money, a clock starts ticking.

  • Minutes 0-60: They are trying to move funds to untraceable accounts or change your passwords to lock you out.
  • Hour 1-24: They are likely selling your data or targeting your friends and family using your identity.

You cannot change what happened ten minutes ago. You can change what happens in the next ten minutes.

Let’s get to work.

Phase 1: Stop the Bleeding

Forget about getting the money back for one second. First, we have to lock the doors so they can’t take more.

Step 1: Cut Contact Instantly

This is harder than it sounds. If you are on the phone with them, hang up. If you are chatting on WhatsApp or Telegram, stop typing.

  • Do not accuse them. This warns them to cover their tracks.
  • Do not explain. Just go silent.
  • Block them everywhere. Phone number, email, social media.

Warning: They might call you back from a different number pretending to be “Fraud Prevention” or the “Police.” This is part of the scam. Do not answer unknown numbers right now.

Step 2: The “Kill Switch” on Payments

Depending on how you paid, take these specific actions immediately.

If you paid via Credit or Debit Card:

  1. Open your banking app or call the number on the back of your card.
  2. Freeze the card immediately.
  3. Tell the representative: “I have identified a fraudulent transaction. I need to dispute the charge and cancel this card number.”

If you paid via Bank Transfer / Wire:

  1. Call your bank immediately. Ask for the Fraud Department (not general customer service).
  2. Request a SWIFT recall (for international) or a transfer reversal.
  3. Honest Truth: Wires are hard to reverse. But if you catch it within minutes, it is possible.

If you paid via Gift Cards (Apple, Google Play, Steam):

  1. This is the hardest scenario. Once that code is shared, the money is usually gone.
  2. However, call the card issuer immediately (e.g., Apple Support). If the scammer hasn’t redeemed the card yet, the issuer might be able to freeze the balance.

If you paid via Cryptocurrency:

  1. I will be honest with you: Crypto transactions are irreversible by design.
  2. Do not believe anyone who says they can “hack” the blockchain to get it back. They are lying.

Phase 2: Securing Your Digital Identity

If the scammer tricked you into downloading software (like AnyDesk or TeamViewer) or giving up passwords, your entire digital life is at risk.

Step 1: Disconnect Your Device

If you gave a scammer remote access to your computer:

  1. Turn off your Wi-Fi or pull the ethernet cable now.
  2. Uninstall the remote access software immediately.
  3. Run a full antivirus scan.

Step 2: The Password Reset Protocol

Do not use the compromised device to do this. Use a different phone or computer.

Change your passwords in this order of priority:

  1. Email Account: This is the “master key” to everything else. If they have your email, they can reset every other password.
  2. Banking/Financial Apps.
  3. Social Media Accounts.

Step 3: Force Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

If you don’t have 2-Step Verification enabled, turn it on. Use an Authenticator App (like Google Authenticator) rather than SMS text messages if possible, as scammers can sometimes clone phone numbers (SIM swapping).

Phase 3: The Reporting Process

Option 1: Global & Platform-Specific Reporting (For Everyone)

Regardless of where you live, you can report the tools the scammer used. This helps shut them down globally.

  • econsumer.gov: A partnership of consumer protection agencies from over 40 countries. Reporting here helps international authorities track cross-border scams.
  • APWG (Anti-Phishing Working Group): Forward suspicious emails to reportphishing@apwg.org. This helps security companies block that sender for everyone.
  • Google Safe Browsing: If the scam involved a website, report the URL to Google. This triggers that bright red “Warning” screen for future victims.
  • Social Media Platforms: Do not just block the user; use the “Report” button on their profile (WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, Facebook). This alerts the platform to suspend their account.

Option 2: Your Local Government Authority

Every country has a specific agency for this. If your country isn’t listed below, go to Google and search: “Report Cybercrime [Your Country Name]” for example “Report Cybercrime Ghana”.

Pro Tip: When filing the report, write down the specific timeline. “On [Date] at [Time], I was contacted by…” The more detail, the better.

Phase 4: Beware the “Recovery Scammer”

This is the most important section of this entire guide. Please read this twice.

What is a Recovery Scam? After you get scammed, you are put on a “sucker list”. You will soon be contacted by people claiming to be:

  • “FBI Agents”
  • “Ethical Hackers”
  • “Asset Recovery Specialists”

They will tell you they found your money. They will say they can hack the scammer to get it back. They will sound very professional.

They are lying.

They will ask for an “upfront fee” or “tax” to release your recovered funds. If you pay them, that money is gone too.

NOTE: No government agency or legitimate hacker will ever ask you for money upfront to recover stolen funds. If someone DMs you on Twitter or Instagram saying they can help recover crypto, block them instantly.

Phase 5: Prevention

We want you to earn cash, but we want you to keep it, too. Before you sign up for the next “opportunity” or side hustle, run it through this mental checklist.

1. The “Is This Legit” Test

Does the offer sound too good to be true? High returns with zero risk do not exist. If someone promises you can turn $100 into $1,000 in 24 hours, it is a scam. Period.

2. The Urgency Check

Scammers create artificial urgency.

  • “You must act now or the account will be closed.”
  • “The police are on their way.”
  • “This offer expires in 10 minutes.”

Legitimate businesses will give you time to think. If they are pressuring you to act right now, it’s a red flag.

3. The Payment Method

Legitimate companies do not ask to be paid in:

  • Bitcoin/Crypto
  • Gift Cards (iTunes, Steam, Amazon)
  • Cash App / Zelle (for business transactions)

If they ask for these, run.

Our Expert Take

As the founder of Earn More Cash Today, I see this happen every single day.

The scammers’ most powerful weapon isn’t their hacking software. It is shame.

They know that if you feel stupid, you won’t tell your spouse. You won’t tell your parents. You won’t call the bank because you feel like it’s your fault.

Let me be clear: It is not your fault.

These are professional criminals. They have scripts, teams, and psychological tactics designed to manipulate the human brain. I have seen doctors, lawyers, and even other IT professionals fall for these tricks.

Forgive yourself. The money is just money—you can earn that back. But your mental health is irreplaceable. Do not let them steal your peace of mind along with your cash.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I get my money back if I authorized the payment?

It is difficult, but not impossible. If you authorized the payment because you were lied to, it is still fraud. However, banks are often reluctant to refund these “Authorized Push Payment” (APP) frauds. You must fight for it. File a police report and submit it to the bank to prove you are serious.

A hacker on Instagram says they can recover my stolen crypto. Is this legit?

No. 100% No. These are “Recovery Scammers.” No one can reverse a blockchain transaction. They are trying to scam you a second time.

Should I change my phone number?

Usually, you don’t need to. However, expect an increase in spam calls and texts. If the harassment becomes unbearable, changing your number might be the best option for your peace of mind.

Is my identity stolen?

If you gave them your Social Security Number (or National ID), driver’s license photo, or passport, assume the answer is yes. You should place a “Fraud Alert” or “Credit Freeze” with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) immediately.