You Just Realised It Was A Scam

Take one step at a time

The moment realisation hits is often overwhelming, but you do not need to have a clear head to start. Focus on the very next action only: stopping any payment in progress and contacting your bank.

Everything else, including reporting and gathering evidence, can follow once that first call is made.

It is common to replay the events over and over, searching for the exact moment you could have stopped it. That reflection can wait; the more useful use of this energy right now is action.

Stop the transfer and alert your bank

If a payment is still processing or you are being asked for another one, stop it now. Call your bank’s fraud line immediately to flag the transfer and ask what a recall can do, and read how a bank recall works once you have made that call.

Have your account number, the approximate time of the transfer, and the amount ready when you call, since this helps the bank act faster than starting from scratch.

If the transfer happened within the last few hours, call the National Scam Response Centre on 997 as well, since speed matters most in this window. If you are not sure whether it counts as recent enough for the hotline to help, call anyway and let them advise you, rather than assuming it is too late.

Preserve the evidence before you block anyone

Screenshot every message, the platform or website, the account details you paid, and the transfer confirmations. Do this before blocking the scammer, since the conversation itself is evidence.

Write down a short timeline of what happened and when, while the details are still fresh in your mind.

Save the scammer’s account details, any usernames, and the platform or app they used, even if you plan to delete the app afterward. A quick photo of the app or website before removing it can also help.

Report through the official channels

File a police report with the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, and keep the report number safe. This documentation is often needed for a bank dispute or any later step.

Bring everything you have gathered to the report, including screenshots and transfer confirmations. A more complete report at this stage saves you from having to return later with additional details.

What to do next

The panic and shame you feel right now are common reactions, not signs you did something wrong. Once the urgent calls are made, our first response guide sets out the fuller order of steps for the hours ahead.

Reach out to someone you trust, whether a family member, a friend, or a service like this one. You do not need to carry this alone in the hours right after realising what happened.