I Gave a Scammer My Password. What Should I Do?
If you gave a scammer a password, act quickly. The risk depends on which account was involved and whether the same password is used elsewhere.
What’s happening?
If you gave a scammer your password, someone may be able to access the account that uses that password.
How these scams work
- You believed a fake support, bank, or account message was real.
- A scammer asked for your password while pretending to help.
- You entered your password on a fake website.
Acting quickly can help protect your account, especially if you used the same password anywhere else.
Common concerns
The risk can be greater if:
- You gave the scammer your password and username
- You use the same password on other accounts
- You gave away a password for email, banking, shopping, or another important account
- You also gave the scammer a verification code
- You allowed someone unexpected to access your device
What you should do
- Change the password immediately using the official website or app for the affected account.
- If you used that password anywhere else, change those passwords too. Use different passwords for important accounts.
- Check the account's security settings for unfamiliar devices, sessions, or recent activity.
- Turn on two-factor authentication or another available sign-in security feature.
- If your email password was exposed, secure your email account first. Email can be used to reset other accounts.
- If banking or other financial information may have been exposed, contact your bank or financial institution immediately using its official phone number or website.
Stop here
Don't use a link sent by the scammer to change your password.
Don't give anyone who contacts you unexpectedly your new password or verification code.
If you're unable to regain control of the account or see suspicious activity, stop and get help from the company that provides the account.
If an unexpected message, pop-up, or caller is pressuring you to pay, call a number, install software, or share a code, do not follow those instructions until you have verified the situation independently.
Do not use a link supplied by the scammer to change the password. Use the official app or website you already know.
Still having trouble?
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If you’ve tried the basic troubleshooting steps and still need help, we’re here to help.
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