Act now · International (US, UK, Canada, Australia examples)
The first 48 hours after you realise it was a scam
What to do first, what can wait, and why speed with your bank matters more than anything else.
By Stonebridge Resolution · Published 4 October 2026 · Updated 4 October 2026
The short answer
Stop further payments and contact, call your bank on a number you trust to report the fraud, secure your email and financial accounts, then report to the relevant authority once urgent calls are done.
Pause, then move in the right order
The moment of realisation is often physical: a drop in the stomach, a rush of heat, a racing mind. That is a normal stress response, not a sign that you are incapable of handling this. Take a few slow breaths. The next hour is about a handful of practical actions, done in a sensible order.
The single most time-sensitive step is contacting the institution that moved your money. Banks, card issuers and some payment platforms have internal processes for disputed or fraudulent transactions, and several of those processes work best — or only work — when reported quickly.
Stop further losses
Before trying to get anything back, make sure no more can leave.
- Stop all communication with the person or company involved. Do not tell them you know — simply stop replying.
- Do not send any further payments, even if you are told a final fee will release your funds.
- If you gave anyone remote access to your computer or phone, disconnect it from the internet and have it checked before using online banking again.
- Change passwords for email and financial accounts, starting with email, and switch on two-step verification.
Call your bank using a number you trust
Use the number printed on the back of your card, on a paper statement, or typed directly into your browser from the bank’s official site. Never use a number supplied in a message or by the person you were dealing with.
Tell them plainly that you believe you were the victim of fraud, give the dates and amounts, and ask what they can do. Write down the date, time, the name of the person you spoke to and any reference number.
What can wait until tomorrow
Reporting to police or national fraud agencies is important, but a few hours will rarely change the outcome in the way a delayed bank call can. Organising your records, telling family, and researching your options can all happen once the urgent calls are done. Sleep is allowed.
Checklist
- Stop replying to the scammer and send no further money
- Call your bank or card issuer on the number on your card or official website
- Note the date, time, staff name and reference number of each call
- Disconnect any device that was given remote access
- Change your email password first, then financial accounts, and enable two-step verification
- Report to your national fraud reporting service
Common questions
Is it too late if more than 48 hours have passed?
Not necessarily. Some dispute and complaint routes have longer time limits. Contact your bank anyway and ask what still applies.
Should I tell the scammer I know?
No. Simply stop responding. Confronting them can prompt further manipulation or a recovery-scam approach.