What to do if you’re a victim of an email phishing scam

Email scams are a real hazard, and if you’ve been a victim of one, you need to take action right away to protect yourself against identity theft. Here are a few of the most crucial actions to take.

  • Passwords should be changed regularly

Change your passwords right away if you clicked the erroneous link or submitted personal information in response to a phishing scam. This applies to all email accounts as well as other internet accounts, such as bank accounts, utilities, and online stores. It’s possible that you’ll need to change any relevant PIN numbers as well. Create new passwords for each account that are unique, complicated, and contain a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. Cybercriminals will have a harder time cracking such credentials.

Read: The Risks and Consequences of Email Scam

  • Credit agencies should be notified

As soon as possible, notify one of the three major credit bureaus that your account may have been compromised. Put a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your account until the problem is fixed.

  • Credit card companies should be contacted

Notify your credit card companies of the problem and explain it to them. Even if your credit cards haven’t been used yet, illegal charges could be on the way if you’ve exposed credit card info. Your bank may recommend that you freeze or replace your cards. Notify your bank of the situation so that they can assist you in preserving your credit line.

  • Update your program and make other technical adjustments.

If you suspect your system is infected with a virus or other malware, update your software to the most recent version and run a thorough virus scan.

You should also encrypt sensitive files, use a firewall, and back up your personal information on an external hard drive or in the cloud on a regular basis.

Remember that enabling and using a virtual private network (VPN) anytime you use a public Wi-Fi network is a more secure alternative.

Also, make sure to turn off your computer when it’s not in use so that hackers can’t access it.

Related Read: Tips to Avoid Romance Scammers Online

  • Check your accounts on a frequent basis

Check your bank and credit card accounts for strange activity on a regular basis. If you’ve previously detected suspicious or unfamiliar activity on your credit report and set a fraud alert or credit freeze, you might want to keep it until you’re sure it’s safe to remove it. Also, keep an eye out for any bills that aren’t yours from utility companies or other service providers.

Reporting Centres

It’s critical to report phishing scams if you’ve been a victim of one. Here are some resources for reporting that are currently available.

  • The National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to National Consumers League’s project is Fraud.org. This group informs the federal government of fraudulent behavior and keeps thorough records of fraud incidences. It also includes information on who you can contact for help in your state.
  • The Internet Crime Complaint Center is a website that allows people to report crimes online. The Internet Crime Complaint Center is managed by the FBI and the
  • National White-Collar Crime Center. It contains a wealth of advice and other useful information on how to avoid email scams and what to do if you are a victim of one. It also includes a link to file a claim against a third party that stole or attempted to steal your identity.
  • Department of Justice of the United States of America. The US Department of Justice maintains websites where you may report email scams. There are also a lot of useful links, tips, and guidance on the site.
  • The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization that promotes ethics The BBB allows you to inform others about what occurred to you so that others don’t fall victim to similar frauds.