If money or payment details were involved
Contact your bank or payment provider promptly. Explain what happened and provide the transaction reference. Ask what protective steps are available for that payment and account. Be cautious of anyone demanding another fee to recover the money.
If you entered a password or security code
Open the affected service through its official app or a trusted address. Change the password, review active sessions and recovery details, and contact the service if you cannot regain control. If you reused the password elsewhere, secure those accounts as well.
If a file was downloaded or opened, ask your IT administrator to assess the device. Avoid using a potentially compromised device for sensitive account recovery.
Preserve and report
Save the message, addresses, URLs, files, dates and payment references. Report through the affected platform and the appropriate official local channel. A Scam Advisor assessment can help organise the information; it does not file an external report or recover funds.
- Record what you clicked, shared, downloaded or paid.
- Contact the affected institution through an official route.
- Secure accounts and devices based on the exposure.
- Preserve the evidence before deleting messages.
Questions about this check
Can DSDillon recover money lost to a scam?
The checker does not provide fund recovery. Contact your bank or payment provider and the appropriate reporting authority.
Should I delete the suspicious message?
Keep a copy of the original and relevant transaction details for the institution or investigator handling the incident.
Further reading
FTC: What to do if you were scammedTT CSIRT: Security advisoriesUpdated September 28, 2026.
