Fraudsters often count on time pressure, lack of transparency and faked information to achieve their aims. Fraud victims should act as soon as possible to try and limit financial losses as much as they can. But who to contact? And what measures to take?
If you have potentially fallen victim to financial fraud, you should act immediately. Contact your bank or payment service provider straight away to block your account and payment methods as quickly as possible and initiate any reversals if you can. It can also make sense to report this to your nearest police station. Secure any relevant evidence such as e-mails, chat messages, contracts and proofs of payment. You should also check your insurances for any potential support and cover they offer for cyber incidents.
To avoid something similar happening in the future: Don’t let anybody put pressure on you and generally remain suspicious of any unexpected demands and requests to act you receive, for instance by text, e-mail or in a telephone call. Where there is a promise of apparently quick profits, remember one simple truth: There is no quick money to be made without a risk of loss! Those who believe this lose out! With any unrealistic promises of returns, check whether the provider is reputable, for instance using Google research, Internet forums or consumer websites.
