Scam Steps

Action cards for every scam type

One image per scam type. The first calls to make, the realistic recovery rate, the time window. Save the one that matches and send it to anyone who needs it — these screenshot well into a text message.

Not sure yet?

The general warning-signs card — the six biggest tells, regardless of scam type.

Is this a scam? Quick checklist of six warning signs from scamsteps.org

By scam type

Sorted by realistic recovery, highest first.

If this happened to you — Unauthorized credit or debit card charge. Typical recovery 85 to 95 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Unauthorized credit or debit card charge — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Identity theft — accounts opened or SSN used in your name. Typical recovery 70 to 90 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Identity theft — accounts opened or SSN used in your name — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Marketplace purchase paid via platform checkout. Typical recovery 60 to 80 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Marketplace purchase paid via platform checkout — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Tech support scam with remote access to your device. Typical recovery 30 to 60 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Tech support scam with remote access to your device — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App payment you sent to a scammer. Typical recovery 10 to 25 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App payment you sent to a scammer — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Wire transfer to a scammer. Typical recovery 5 to 50 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Wire transfer to a scammer — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Crypto sent to an exchange account (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.). Typical recovery 5 to 15 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Crypto sent to an exchange account (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.) — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Marketplace purchase paid by Zelle, Venmo Friends, or cash. Typical recovery 5 to 15 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Marketplace purchase paid by Zelle, Venmo Friends, or cash — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Other scam type. Typical recovery 5 to 30 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Other scam type — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Government impersonation (IRS, Social Security, ICE, FBI, etc.). Typical recovery 2 to 20 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Government impersonation (IRS, Social Security, ICE, FBI, etc.) — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Crypto sent to a non-custodial wallet. Typical recovery 0 to 1 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Crypto sent to a non-custodial wallet — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Romance scam. Typical recovery 0 to 5 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Romance scam — full plan, calls, and filing templates.
If this happened to you — Investment fraud / 'pig butchering'. Typical recovery 0 to 2 percent. Action steps from scamsteps.org.
Investment fraud / 'pig butchering' — full plan, calls, and filing templates.

How to use these: right-click (or long-press on a phone) any card and save it. Text or email it to the person who needs it. Each card stands on its own — they don't have to visit the site to get value, but the full recovery plan and editable filing templates are one click away.