What to Do If You're Scammed: Action Steps for Seniors

Welcome back to CyberSmarts for Seniors. This series is created especially for seniors who want to stay safe, confident, and connected in today's digital world.

We've talked about recognizing scams and protecting yourself. But what do you actually do in the moment when you're on the phone with a scammer? What if you've already given information or money? This video will give you clear, specific steps to take.

Remember, the goal isn't to feel afraid. It's to feel prepared. Knowing exactly what to do gives you confidence and control.

Let's start with what to do when you're actually on the phone with someone and you're getting that uncomfortable feeling that something isn't right.

Here's what not to do. Don't give personal details, even if they say they need to "verify" who you are. Don't confirm your name, address, age, or any other information. Don't press buttons if they ask you to "press one to speak to an agent." These button presses can confirm your number is active. Don't stay on the line to be polite. You don't owe scammers your politeness. Don't argue or try to convince them you know it's a scam.

Here's what to do instead. Hang up immediately if you feel pressured or uncomfortable. You don't need to say goodbye. You don't need to explain. Just hang up.

If you're unsure whether it's legitimate, say "I'll call you back" and hang up. Then verify by calling the organization directly using a number you look up yourself. If they claim to be from your bank, say "I'll visit my branch to discuss this" and hang up. If they're aggressive or threatening, hang up immediately and report the call to police.

Here's a script you can use. "I don't discuss financial matters over the phone. Goodbye." Then hang up. That's it. Simple and effective. Or simply "I'm not interested" and hang up.

Remember this. Hanging up on a scammer isn't rude. The moment you feel uncomfortable, end the call.

Right after you hang up on a suspicious call or receive a suspicious email, here's what to do while the details are still fresh.

Write down everything you remember. The phone number that appeared on call display, what they claimed to be calling about, what organization they said they were from, what they asked for, any names they used, the time and date of the call, and how you felt during the interaction.

Tell someone you trust. Call a family member or friend and tell them what happened. They can help you think through whether it was legitimate and what to do next.

Report it even if you didn't lose money. Report the attempt to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at one-eight-eight-eight-four-nine-five-eight-five-zero-one. You can also report online at antifraudcentre dot ca.

Don't feel embarrassed that you were targeted. Being targeted doesn't mean you did anything wrong. You recognized it and protected yourself. That's success.

Now let's talk about what to do if you think you've already given information or money to a scammer. This is the most important section because quick action can prevent further damage or help you recover.

First and most important, don't be embarrassed. Scams happen to smart people from all walks of life every single day. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, everyone falls for scams sometimes. The scammers are professionals. They're good at what they do.

Embarrassment keeps people from getting help, and that's exactly what scammers count on. The sooner you act, the better your chances of limiting damage.

Act quickly because time matters. Here are the specific steps to take, in order.

Step one. If you gave banking or credit card information, contact your bank and credit card companies immediately. Use the phone number on the back of your card. Tell them you believe you've been the victim of fraud. They can freeze your accounts, issue new cards, and monitor for fraudulent charges.

Step two. If you sent money through a wire transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram, contact them immediately. If you act very quickly, within minutes, they may be able to stop the transfer.

Step three. If you bought gift cards and gave the numbers to someone, contact the gift card company immediately. Some companies can freeze cards that haven't been used yet. Have the receipts ready with the card numbers.

Step four. Change all your passwords for online accounts. Start with your email, banking, and any accounts with financial information. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.

Step five. Place a fraud alert on your credit report. Contact Equifax at one-eight-zero-zero-four-six-five-seven-one-five-five or TransUnion at one-eight-zero-zero-six-six-three-nine-seven-four-two. A fraud alert is free and makes it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name.

Step six. Keep detailed records of everything. Save all emails, text messages, receipts, and take notes of all phone conversations including dates, times, and who you spoke with.

Step seven. Report the scam to authorities. Call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at one-eight-eight-eight-four-nine-five-eight-five-zero-one. Contact your local police non-emergency line to file a report. For East Algoma residents, that's the OPP at one-eight-eight-eight-three-one-zero-one-one-two-two.

Step eight. Tell your family or a trusted friend what happened. They can provide emotional support and help you watch for follow-up scams.

A note about follow-up scams. After you've been scammed, you might be contacted by someone claiming they can help you recover your money for a fee. This is another scam. Legitimate authorities don't charge fees to investigate fraud.

Let's talk about the emotional side of being scammed, because this is important.

You are not alone. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre receives over seventy thousand reports of fraud attempts every year, and that's just what gets reported. Most scam attempts aren't reported, so the real number is much higher.

You are not stupid or gullible. Scammers are professionals who study psychology and practice their techniques. Falling for a scam doesn't reflect on your intelligence. It reflects on their criminal expertise.

The shame you feel is exactly what scammers count on. They know embarrassment keeps people from reporting scams, warning others, or seeking help. By speaking up, you're protecting others.

Many people say "I should have known better." But be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend in the same situation.

Acting quickly can prevent or reduce harm significantly. Your quick action matters more than the fact that you were targeted.

Let me give you a simple list you can keep handy. If you think you've been scammed, do these things in order.

One. Contact your bank and credit card companies immediately if financial information was involved. Two. Change all your passwords, especially email and banking. Three. Place a fraud alert with Equifax and TransUnion. Four. Keep detailed records of everything. Five. Report to Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and local police. Six. Tell a family member or trusted friend. Seven. Watch for follow-up scams. Eight. Be kind to yourself.

You now know exactly what to do during a suspicious call, right after a scam attempt, and if you've been victimized. You have specific phone numbers, concrete steps, and a clear action plan.

Most importantly, you understand that being targeted doesn't reflect on you. It reflects on criminals who've made a profession out of manipulation. Your response, recognizing it, acting quickly, and reporting it, is what matters.

In our next video, we'll share important resources, phone numbers, and websites you can use to stay informed about new scams and get help when you need it.

Thank you for watching. Stay safe, stay alert, and remember, quick action and asking for help are signs of strength, not weakness.

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Check out the Video Series:

Video 1: Introduction to Scam Awareness

Video 2: The Scammer's Playbook

Video 3: Phone Scams

Video 4: Online & Digital Threats

Video 5: Financial & Romance Scams

Video 6: New Technology Threats

Video 7: Your Protection Toolkit

Video 8: What to Do If You're Targeted

Video 9: Resources & Staying Safe

Watch Video 10: Empowerment & Community

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Return to the Introduction to the Video Series:

Protecting Yourself from Scams: A Complete Guide for Seniors in Canada

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Return to the CyberSmarts for Seniors Introduction:

CyberSmarts for Seniors: Practical Lessons to Build Digital Confidence and Safety

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This resource is part of the CyberSmarts for Seniors Project, funded in part by the Government of Canada’s
New Horizons for Seniors Program and ELNOS, and delivered in Elliot Lake by Raknas Inc. and Golden Voices, the seniors-focused division of the DiversityCanada Foundation.

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