My friend was just scammed. How do I help them?
Offer calm, practical help while your friend keeps control.
Try: 'I'm glad you told me. What would help most right now?' Listen without blame.
Offer one task, such as finding a known bank contact or taking notes. Ask before you act.
Do not promise to get the money back. Quick contact with the right provider may help, but recovery is not certain.
- Help your friend stop contact and further payments if they want your help.
- If money was sent, help find the real payment provider's contact. Do this promptly, before writing a long report.
- Let your friend speak to the provider and approve decisions. Do not take over their account.
- If account access was shared, sit with them while they use the provider's recovery steps. Let them enter passwords and codes privately.
- Offer to record dates and report details. Do not share their story or private records without permission.
- Check in later. Warn them about strangers asking for fees to recover the loss.
Write two kind sentences for a friend who was scammed. Offer to sit with them while they contact the payment provider. Do not blame them, promise a refund or ask for private account details.
Paste the message into ChatGPT, then fill in any blanks before you send it. ChatGPT opens in a new tab. Opening it does not send the message.
A useful offer is specific: 'Would you like me to take notes while you call?'
Sources and more help
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