Job Scams and Other Contact with Fraudsters and Bad Actors

What to Do If You Clicked, Replied, or Shared Information

If you believe you interacted with a scammer, such as responding to a fake job offer, clicking a link, opening a document, or sharing information, take the steps below. Acting quickly can limit harm and help protect others.

1. Stop Contact Immediately

   • End all communication with the scammer

   • Do not reply, click links, or open attachments

   • Do not try to fix the situation by continuing the conversation

Once a scammer knows you are responsive, continued contact increases risk.

2. Secure Your Accounts (Change Passwords)

Change passwords immediately for any potentially affected accounts:

2. • Email

   • School or work accounts

   • Social media

   • Financial or shopping accounts

If you reused the same or similar passwords anywhere else, change those as well.

Important:
If you store passwords in your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) and your email or Google or Microsoft account was compromised, assume all saved passwords are compromised.

3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Turn on MFA wherever it is available:

3. • Authentication apps or hardware tokens are more secure than SMS

   • Use SMS only if no other option exists

Remember:
No legitimate organization will ask for your password or MFA code
Never approve a login request you did not initiate

4. Report the Scam or Fraudulent Content

Reporting helps protect others and supports investigations.

4. • Use built-in reporting tools in email and cloud platforms

   • Report scams on any platform where the interaction occurred

   • If an organization is being impersonated, report it using their official website

Do not use contact information provided by the scammer.

5. Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Company Safely

If you shared financial information, sent money, or deposited a check:

5. • Contact your bank or card issuer immediately using a trusted method

     • Phone number on the back of your card

     • Official website or mobile app

Be cautious of follow-up contact:

5. • Scammers may impersonate banks or other organizations

   • Do not trust inbound calls, texts, or emails

   • Hang up and contact the organization directly using an official channel

If the contact was legitimate, it can be confirmed this way.

6. Update and Secure Your Devices

Keeping devices updated is one of the most effective protections.

6. • Ensure all devices are fully up to date

   • Apply security patches promptly

Antivirus scans can help, but they are not sufficient on their own. Modern protection relies heavily on operating system security and updates.

7. Monitor Accounts and Credit

Watch for signs of ongoing or delayed impact:

7. • Review bank and credit card activity

   • Check for unusual logins or account changes

   • Monitor your credit report

Consider placing a free credit freeze or fraud alert with major credit bureaus.

8. Report Financial Loss or Identity Fraud

If you lost money or shared sensitive personal information:

8. • Contact your local law enforcement agency

   • File reports with appropriate fraud or cybercrime authorities

   • Save all related evidence, including emails, messages, screenshots, and receipts

You may need this documentation later.

9. Learn, Pause, and Share

Scams rely on urgency, pressure, and trust.

9. • Be cautious by default. Do not assume inbound messages are legitimate

   • Pause before clicking, replying, or sharing information

   • Verify requests using trusted contact methods

Share your experience and this site with others. Awareness helps protect everyone.

When in Doubt

If something feels off, stop and verify before taking action.

Think before you click. Attackers are targeting your credentials and personal information.