Stay calm. Take one step at a time.
Discovering that you may have been scammed can be upsetting. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone and there are practical steps you can take.
One step forward is enough
Margaret thought she had made a terrible mistake. She had sent money to someone she believed was her grandson, only to discover the truth hours later. The panic was immediate. But when she called her bank and spoke to her daughter, something shifted. She was not alone, and she did not need to solve everything at once. One phone call. One conversation. One step. That was enough to begin moving forward.
First things first
If money has gone or details shared, call your bank now
Contact your bank immediately
Tell them what has happened. They can freeze accounts and protect you
Report the scam
Report to Action Fraud or Police Scotland
Keep records of what happened
Keep records of everything for your bank and the authorities
Find your situation
Choose the situation that best matches what happened. We'll guide you to the most useful next steps.
I shared my bank details
Your bank can help protect your account and monitor for fraud
I transferred money
Time matters here. Your bank may be able to recover funds
I clicked a suspicious link
Change your passwords and check your accounts for unusual activity
I shared personal information
Monitor your accounts and consider a credit check to stay alert
Why scams work on good people
Scammers are skilled at what they do. They target human beings, not careless people. Intelligence, experience and caution offer no protection against someone who is determined to deceive. What matters now is what you do next, not how this happened.
What to do next
These steps will help you move forward with confidence
Keep a record
Write down what happened, when and who was involved
Talk to someone you trust
Share what happened with someone you trust. You are not alone
Build confidence for the future
Understanding how scams work helps you spot warning signs in future
One experience does not define you
Being targeted by a scam does not mean you are careless, unintelligent or naïve. What matters is what you do next. Recovery starts with information, then understanding, then confidence. You do not need to do everything today. Just take the next step.
You are not alone in this
Many people have felt the same worry and confusion. What matters now is knowing where to turn.
Your next step matters more than your last one
Recovery is not about fixing everything today. It is about moving forward at your own pace, one action at a time. Each step you take builds your confidence and your understanding.
