Help if you have been scammed.

If you have already sent money or shared information, it helps to act quickly. Start with the first step below, and a real person will read what you send us.

Tell us what happened What to do first ↓

In immediate danger? Call 911 first. A real person reads every message sent here. You do not need an account.

We’re here to help.

Tell us what you received, what you did, and what you are worried about now.

Thanks, we have your message. A person from our team will reply by email.

  • If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 first. Backgrounder can’t recover lost funds, but we can help you understand what happened and what to do next.
  • We cannot get money back. No one can promise that, and anyone who does is running a second scam on you. We can work out what happened, help stop it going further, and put together the record that banks and investigators act on.
  • No account needed. You do not have to be a customer to send this.
  • This is not your fault. Scammers do this full time to thousands of people, using scripts refined over years. Being taken in by one is not a character flaw.
  • Private and confidential. Prefer email? Reach us at support@backgrounder.com.

What to do first.

  1. Carmen's next steps after a scam text: do not tap the link, delete the text; if you already entered a card, call the number on the back of it
    1

    Right now

    Don’t send any money or share any more information. Run a quick check with Carmen, and submit what is happening immediately.

    If it is an emergency, say so when you send it and we handle it on emergency priority. The sooner you act, the better your chances of minimising the damage.

    Tell us what happened ↑
  2. A Backgrounder Analysis report: case number, the brief, a High risk level at 94% confidence, the archetype and the recommended action
    2

    What we do next

    • Understand itWe work out what happened and document the scam properly.
    • Tell you where to reportWe give you clear next steps for your bank, the payment processors and the authorities, in the order to take them.
    • Stop the next lossWe identify what is still live and still aimed at you, which is usually more than people expect.
    • Refer you to specialistsWe connect you with trusted partners who specialise in asset recovery, where that applies.
  3. 3

    What we cannot do

    • Get the money backWe do not recover funds or undo transactions. Anyone who promises you that is running a second scam. We do know the investigations and asset-recovery people who work on it.
    • Run a background checkBackgrounder is not a background check service and is not FCRA-compliant. It is not for employment, credit or housing decisions.
    • Undo identity theftWe focus on stopping scams before they succeed. We do not resolve identity theft after it has happened.

Report it officially.

Report it even if the money is gone. Reports help investigators connect many victims to the same operation, and banks often ask for a report first.

Emotional support.

A scam can affect your sleep and wellbeing as well as your money, and the distress can last after the money stops moving.

We have partnered with Give an Hour, a national nonprofit whose licensed mental-health professionals and trained peer supporters work with survivors of financial fraud. Their support is free.

Asking for this help is a normal part of recovery.

If you have been scammed, you are not on your own.

Start your case or email support@backgrounder.com →