Choose steps that fit what happened

Step 1 of 6

Opening your saved place…

Start with the current state

The next step depends on what happened.

Did you just see a message, open its link, share a password or send money? Say what happened, or say you do not know.

If you paid or gave access, contact the affected service promptly through a known route. An AI checklist can wait.

You can use the made-up cases here. A list may help organize the next step; it does not guarantee you will feel calm or recover money.

Buddy says

You can get help without blaming yourself for what happened.

Match the response to the event

Protect the affected account or payment first.

If you shared a password, change it through the real service. Change it on other accounts where you reused it. Use the service’s account-protection steps, including two-step sign-in if offered. If you cannot sign in, use its recovery route.

If you shared a sign-in code, contact the affected service promptly. If you paid, contact the bank or payment service used and ask about stopping or reversing the payment. A refund is not assured.

If you opened a suspect page, stop typing details or getting files from it. If you installed software or let someone control the device, use trusted tech help and current security guidance. Say what happened so the help fits.

No interactionAvoid the message’s link and reply route. Plan reporting and cleanup.

Information or money sharedContact the affected bank, account or payment service now.

Device accessUse trusted tech support, not a helper named in the suspect message.

Keep needed records in a secure place for the real service’s report. Reporting does not guarantee a sender is blocked or money is returned.

Do not include real passwords, codes or card numbers in a request to AI. Use a short description of the event.

A complete no-click case

The list fits a message that was not acted on.

Made-up case: a text says a package is stuck. It asks for a fee through a link. No link was opened, nothing was shared and nothing was paid. The person does not expect a parcel.

Example message

Use this made-up case: a text claims a package is stuck. It asks for a fee through a link. No link was opened, no details were shared and no money was paid. No parcel is expected. Give four calm steps, one per line. Keep needed proof before you delete the text. Do not promise a report will block the sender or claim I finished any step.

An example AI reply

1. Do not reply, open the link or pay through the message. 2. Keep any record needed for a fraud report in a secure place, without opening the link. 3. Use your message app’s report option if available, or the real carrier’s reporting instructions. 4. After keeping the needed record and making any report, block the sender if your app allows it. Then delete the message.

The steps are proposed actions, not a record of work done. If money or access had been shared, prompt service help would come before this cleanup list.

Use the stated event

Which request fits the case without inventing action?

Made-up email: your account is locked. The person has not opened the link, shared details or paid. Choose an answer to see why, then continue. This is practice, not a grade.

Choose the first action

Keep account help ahead of an AI checklist.

Made-up case: someone entered their email password on a page opened from a suspect message. They can still sign in. Write the first action, how they would find the real service and what is not yet done. Do not type a password.

Your practice box, just for you. Your draft saves in this browser. This box is not AI. Leave private details out.

This affects the email account; a bank is not the only possible service to contact.

Start with a few words, or look at the example first.

How can I help?