I have been a victim of fraud, a scam, or hacked. What to do next?

PrivacyHawk is a service that can help reduce the risk of fraud by reducing your digital footprint and removing you from data broker databases that expose your personal information. However, this is a preventive measure and cannot resolve past fraud or other crimes that have occurred. Additionally, while preventive measures help reduce risk, there is no 100% solution to avoiding cybercrimes.

If you have fallen victim to fraud, identity theft, a scam, or been hacked, below are some helpful tips on how to manage the situation. PrivacyHawk currently does not offer any services to address a past crime, so we recommend that you follow these guidelines.

If you have fallen victim to a scam and wired money to a fraudster, it’s important to take action immediately. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Contact your bank or wire transfer service: Let your bank or wire transfer service know about the fraudulent transfer as soon as possible. They may be able to stop the transaction before it is completed and recover your funds.
   
   
2. Report the fraud: Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint. You can also report the fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
   
   
3. Contact the authorities: If you have been the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement agency. Provide them with as much information as possible, such as the scammer’s name, phone number, email address, and any other identifying information you have.
   
   
4. Monitor your accounts: Monitor your bank accounts and credit cards closely for any unauthorized transactions. If you see any suspicious activity, report it to your bank or credit card company immediately.
   
   
5. Be vigilant: Be cautious of any unsolicited offers, emails, or phone calls, and never give out personal information or send money to someone you don’t know or trust.

Remember, time is of the essence when dealing with fraud. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of recovering your funds and preventing further losses.