What to do now: checklist

You are not alone, and it is not your fault. Tick each step when it's done. Take your time.

Emergency: 911 · Crisis support: call or text 988 · Report fraud: reportfraud.ftc.gov · Report cyber crime: ic3.gov · Age 60+: 833-372-8311 (833-FRAUD-11)

The bank rule: never respond to a call or text claiming to be your bank. Hang up and call the number on the back of your card. Never share your PIN, password or one-time code.

Right now

• ☐ I am safe, or I called 911.
• ☐ I stopped all contact with the scammer. I did not pay and did not negotiate.
• ☐ I disconnected any affected device from the internet / Wi-Fi (power down only if I could not disconnect).
• ☐ I called my bank or card company using the number on the back of my card.
• ☐ I took screenshots of messages, the ransom note, transactions, usernames, numbers, dates and times.

Today

• ☐ I reported at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
• ☐ I reported at ic3.gov.
• ☐ I made a police report. Report number: ______________
• ☐ I changed passwords (email first) from a trusted device and turned on two-step verification.
• ☐ I signed out of all sessions and removed unknown linked or paired devices.
• ☐ If my identity was used: I started a plan at identitytheft.gov.

This week

• ☐ I froze my credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
• ☐ I checked my free credit reports at annualcreditreport.com.
• ☐ If a company would not help: I complained to the CFPB (consumerfinance.gov/complaint).
• ☐ Texas: I filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General, if needed.
• ☐ If an older or disabled adult was harmed: I called the Texas Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-5400 or reported at txabusehotline.org.

Ongoing

• ☐ I check my statements regularly.
• ☐ I will never pay anyone who promises to recover my money.
• ☐ Updates are automatic; Bluetooth and Wi-Fi auto-join are off when not in use.
• ☐ I am being gentle with myself. If it gets heavy, I can call or text 988.

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-26. Full guide with links: What to do now.