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If you believe you've fallen victim to a scam, the first thing you should do is follow the steps detailed inour I've been hacked/scammed article.
In short, you need to remove any remaining funds from your compromised wallet (to a new or existing wallet that is secure)and make sure the scammer can't access any other sensitive personal or financial information on your device, whether related to MetaMask or not.
Once you've prevented any further loss of funds, you should:
- Get in touch with MetaMask Support to notify us of details such as:
- The suspected scammer's public address
- The website, email or other medium through which the scam reached you.
Report the scammer's public address on the block explorer, if possible. On Etherscan, for example, you can do this here.If the block explorer concludes, after investigation, that the address shows signs of fraudulent activity, it will be flagged.This will help other network users to exercise caution in future.
Alert the local cybercrime authority. Although we can't maintain an exhaustive list, we've detailed a few below which will cover much of our user base:
Remember: as transactions on the blockchain are irreversible, MetaMask cannot retrieve your funds for you. Even if this were not the case, we wouldn't be able to anyway:as a self-custodial wallet, we do not have access to or control over your Secret Recovery Phrase — only you do.This means you're the only one who can manage the funds in your wallet.
FAQs
Email and SMS scams
If you did pay money or provide sensitive personal identifying information to the scammer, phone us on 1800 008 540 to report it. You should also: make an official report to your local police. contact your bank or financial institution if you provided your credit card or bank details to the scammer.
How do I report something as a scam? ›
Report Fraud, Scams & File Complaints
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ReportFraud.ftc.gov is the federal government's website where you can report fraud, scams, and bad business practices. ...
- National Elder Fraud Hotline. ...
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ...
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Email and SMS scams
If you did pay money or provide sensitive personal identifying information to the scammer, phone us on 1800 008 540 to report it. You should also: make an official report to your local police. contact your bank or financial institution if you provided your credit card or bank details to the scammer.
How do I report a suspected scammer? ›
Action Fraud
- online.
- on 0300 123 2040 (Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm).
Report phone and text scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Is it worth reporting a scammer? ›
It is generally best to file a police report on a scammer, reach out to your bank, and file a complaint with the appropriate federal agency as soon as possible after you have been scammed. To file a police report for a scam, you will need make a call to or visit the fraud division of your local police department.
Does reporting to IC3 do anything? ›
Complaints filed via this website are processed and may be referred to federal, state, local or international law enforcement or regulatory agencies for possible investigation.
How do you report a suspicious scam? ›
You should lodge a police report at https://eservices.police.gov.sg, if you think you may have been the victim of a cybercrime.
Who to talk to when you get scammed? ›
If you or someone you care about is the victim of a fraud, scam or financial exploitation, you can report the fraud or scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Because all scams are different, you might have to reach out to a number of other local, state, and federal agencies depending on your situation.
Is it better to ignore or decline spam calls? ›
Is it better to ignore or decline spam calls? It's better to ignore spam calls.
What Are the Most Common Numbers Used by Scammers?
- (865) 630-4266: Scammers use this number to tell victims that their Wells Fargo accounts have been locked. ...
- (469) 709-7630: This number is associated with a package delivery scam.
Explore Online Footprints: The digital age leaves traces, and the scammer's online activity can be a valuable source of leads. Utilize social media platforms to search for the scammer's name or usernames. Look for any profiles or accounts that match details they provided you with.
How do I report a scammer account? ›
If you have been a victim of financial scams: immediately call your bank's scam hotline, or the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) at 997.
Can the police do anything about a scammer? ›
Legal Recourse and Justice: The police can initiate investigations that may lead to arrests and legal action against the perpetrators. This not only brings about justice for victims but also serves as a deterrent for would-be scammers.
How to identify a scammer on the phone? ›
Below are common warning signs of a phone scam:
- A claim that you have been specially selected.
- Use of high-pressure sales tactics and “limited-time” offers.
- Reluctance to answer questions about the business or the offer.
- Request that you “confirm your personal information”
One way to check if a number is potentially a scam is to use a reverse phone number lookup service. These websites and apps allow you to enter a number and see public information associated with it, such as the registered name, location, and carrier.
What can you do if someone scammed you? ›
You Think You've Been Scammed. Now What?
- STOP CONTACT WITH THE SCAMMER. Hang up the phone. ...
- SECURE YOUR FINANCES.
- CHECK YOUR COMPUTER. ...
- CHANGE YOUR ACCOUNT PASSWORDS. ...
- REPORT THE SCAM.
What To Do If Scammers Have Your Phone Number
- Contact your mobile carrier.
- Lock your SIM card.
- Ignore one-ring phone scams.
- Never click on links in text messages from unknown senders.
- Use strong passwords and 2FA.
- Block scam calls on your phone.
- Remove your phone number from data broker lists.
