What to Do After a Scam Call
If you’ve received a suspicious call or already shared information with a scammer, act fast. Time is critical.
Act Now
If you’ve shared banking details, OTPs, or passwords, stop reading and call your bank immediately. Every minute counts.
Immediate Actions (Do This NOW)
Section titled “Immediate Actions (Do This NOW)”If You Shared Banking/Financial Information:
Section titled “If You Shared Banking/Financial Information:”- Call your bank’s emergency helpline (found on back of your card)
- Request to block your account/cards temporarily
- Report the incident to the bank’s fraud department
- Note down the complaint/reference number
Common Bank Emergency Numbers:
Section titled “Common Bank Emergency Numbers:”| Bank | Helpline |
|---|---|
| SBI | 1800 11 2211 |
| HDFC | 1800 202 6161 |
| ICICI | 1800 200 3344 |
| Axis | 1860 419 5555 |
| Kotak | 1860 266 2666 |
| PNB | 1800 180 2222 |
If You Installed Any App They Asked You To:
Section titled “If You Installed Any App They Asked You To:”- Turn on Airplane Mode immediately
- Do NOT open the app again
- Uninstall the suspicious app
- Change passwords for ALL accounts on this device
- Consider factory resetting the phone
If You Shared OTP:
Section titled “If You Shared OTP:”- The scammer may already be logged into your account
- Change your password immediately (from a different device if possible)
- Check for unauthorized transactions
- Enable 2FA if not already enabled
Within the First Hour
Section titled “Within the First Hour”Document Everything
Section titled “Document Everything”-
Write down everything you remember:
- Phone number that called you
- Name/company they claimed to be from
- What information you shared
- What they asked you to do
- Any apps you installed
- Times and dates
-
Take screenshots of:
- Call logs
- Any messages they sent
- Apps they asked you to install
- Any suspicious transactions
Report to Authorities
Section titled “Report to Authorities”- National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930 (24x7)
- File online complaint: cybercrime.gov.in
- Save the complaint acknowledgment number
Secure Your Accounts
Section titled “Secure Your Accounts”Priority order for password changes:
- Email (Gmail, Outlook)
- Banking apps
- UPI apps (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm)
- WhatsApp (enable 2-step verification)
- Social media accounts
Use a Different Device
If you installed an app the scammer requested, your phone might be compromised. Change passwords from a different device (computer, family member’s phone) if possible.
Within 24 Hours
Section titled “Within 24 Hours”Financial Security
Section titled “Financial Security”- Check all bank accounts for unauthorized transactions
- Check all UPI apps for unauthorized transactions
- Check credit card statements
- Set up transaction alerts if not already enabled
- Consider lowering daily transaction limits temporarily
Digital Security
Section titled “Digital Security”- Change passwords on ALL important accounts (use password manager)
- Enable 2FA on all accounts that support it
- Review linked devices on WhatsApp, Gmail, Facebook
- Remove any unfamiliar devices
Official Reports
Section titled “Official Reports”- File FIR at local police station (if money was lost)
- Report to your bank’s nodal officer (for RBI escalation)
- Keep copies of all complaint acknowledgments
Within 48-72 Hours
Section titled “Within 48-72 Hours”Follow Up
Section titled “Follow Up”- Follow up with bank on your complaint status
- Check if money can be traced/recovered (works best if reported quickly)
- Monitor all accounts for any new suspicious activity
Recovery Steps
Section titled “Recovery Steps”- If phone was compromised, consider factory reset
- Re-install apps only from official app stores
- Set up all accounts fresh with new, strong passwords
- Enable maximum security settings
Common Scam Call Scenarios
Section titled “Common Scam Call Scenarios””Your KYC is Expired”
Section titled “”Your KYC is Expired””- Banks never call to update KYC
- Never share OTP, card details, or CVV
- Visit bank branch in person for any KYC issues
”Suspicious Transaction on Your Account”
Section titled “”Suspicious Transaction on Your Account””- Real banks will never ask for OTP or password
- Hang up and call the number on your card
”You’ve Won a Lottery/Prize”
Section titled “”You’ve Won a Lottery/Prize””- If you didn’t enter, you can’t win
- Real prizes never require fees to claim
”I’m Calling from Cyber Crime/Police”
Section titled “”I’m Calling from Cyber Crime/Police””- Real police don’t ask for money to “avoid arrest”
- Real police don’t ask for banking details over phone
”This is Technical Support”
Section titled “”This is Technical Support””- Microsoft, Google, Apple will never call you unsolicited
- Never give remote access to your device
If Money Was Already Transferred
Section titled “If Money Was Already Transferred”Immediate Steps:
Section titled “Immediate Steps:”- Call your bank to report and try to stop/reverse the transaction
- Call 1930 immediately - quick reporting increases recovery chances
- File complaint on cybercrime.gov.in
- File FIR at police station
Important Timelines:
Section titled “Important Timelines:”- Within 3 days: Report to bank for maximum chance of recovery
- 0-24 hours: Banks may be able to reverse transactions
- RBI Guidelines: Banks must respond within 10 days of complaint
Documents Needed for Complaint:
Section titled “Documents Needed for Complaint:”- Bank statements showing fraudulent transactions
- Screenshots of calls/messages from scammer
- Any app names or download links they shared
- Your bank account details
- Aadhaar/PAN (for identity verification)
Mental Health Note
Section titled “Mental Health Note”Being scammed is stressful and can feel embarrassing. Remember:
- It’s not your fault - scammers are professionals who do this all day
- You’re not alone - thousands of people fall for scams daily
- Report it - your report helps protect others
- Talk about it - warn friends and family so they don’t fall for the same scam
Prevention for Next Time
Section titled “Prevention for Next Time”After recovering, set up defenses:
- Read our Secure Mobile Apps guide
- Set up 2-step verification on WhatsApp
- Use a password manager
- Do a monthly security audit
Quick Reference Card
Section titled “Quick Reference Card”Save these numbers:
| Purpose | Number/Link |
|---|---|
| Cyber Crime Helpline | 1930 |
| Online Complaint | cybercrime.gov.in |
| SBI Emergency | 1800 11 2211 |
| HDFC Emergency | 1800 202 6161 |
| ICICI Emergency | 1800 200 3344 |