- Don’t Panic: Take a moment to gather your thoughts before taking action. Panic can lead to rash decisions that can leave you even more vulnerable.
- Gather All Information: Document all relevant details, including dates, times, dollar amounts, communication records, and any suspicious activities.
- Change Passwords: Immediately update the passwords for your online banking accounts and any others that may have been compromised using strong, unique passwords. And enable 2FA if you haven’t already.
- Contact Financial Institutions: Reach out to your bank or credit card company. They can help freeze accounts and prevent further losses. Be sure to find their correct contact information on your card or on their actual website.
- Report the Fraud: File a report with the local police department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov).
- Notify Credit Bureaus: You can place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This can help protect against identity theft.
Discuss: What measures are you already taking? What could you improve?