Here's exactly what to do in the next hour — most of it free, before you call anyone. Then, if you want a local human to help lock things down and clean up what's left, I do that too.
Work top to bottom. Most of these you can do yourself in 15-20 minutes total. They matter more than waiting on a tech.
Hang up the phone. Close the chat. Don't try to "string them along" — every minute they're talking to you, they're working on you. If they have remote access to your computer, unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi immediately.
1) Your email — they likely already tried to break in here. 2) Your bank and credit card logins. 3) Apple ID / Google account. 4) Any account you saw them touch. Use a different device than the one they may have accessed if possible.
Not customer service — the fraud line, which is usually printed on the back of your card. Tell them what happened. They can flag your accounts and reverse some transactions, but only if you call quickly. This is the single most time-sensitive thing on the list.
It's free, takes about 10 minutes total, and prevents anyone from opening new credit in your name. Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. Do all three — they don't share data.
File a report with the FBI's IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center) and the FTC's reportfraud.ftc.gov. Takes about 10 minutes each. You won't get your money back from filing alone, but it documents what happened — necessary if you need to dispute charges later.
Write down everything before you forget: phone numbers, names they used, websites they sent you to, what was said, what you clicked, what you sent. The more detail you have, the more useful any report or recovery effort will be.
Scammers often call back posing as your bank's fraud department to "verify" your information. If anyone calls you in the next 48 hours claiming to be from your bank, hang up and call the number on the back of your card yourself.
Once the urgent stuff is done, the cleanup begins. Here's what scam recovery looks like when I'm involved.
Audit your sign-in history across email, banking, social, and shopping accounts. Find every device that's logged in and sign them all out. Reset what needs resetting.
The single biggest thing standing between you and a repeat scam is two-factor authentication. I'll set it up on every account that matters and explain how it works in plain English.
If they got onto your computer (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, "support" apps), I'll find what they installed, what they ran, and remove it cleanly. Then verify the computer is clean before you trust it again.
Most fraud disputes require specific documentation in a specific order. I'll help you put together what your bank actually needs so the dispute moves faster.
The most important part. We go through what happened — what they said, what worked on you, what to watch for next time. People who understand the playbook don't get caught by it again.
If an elderly parent was scammed and you're calling for them, I'll work with both of you to coordinate next steps without making them feel embarrassed. This part matters more than people realize.
Flat rate. Includes up to 2 hours of work — account lockdowns, 2FA setup, malware scan, education, fraud documentation. Additional time at $85/hr if the scope is unusually large.
A short guide to the scams I see most in Fort Worth. If you recognize one of these, the playbook above applies.
A loud popup says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number. The "tech" who answers wants remote access to your computer to "fix" it. Once they're in, they install software, ask for payment in gift cards or wire transfers, and sometimes drain bank accounts. Microsoft and Apple never call you and never display phone numbers in popups. If you're seeing this right now, close the tab or restart the computer. Don't call the number.
A caller claims to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or local sheriff's office. They threaten arrest, fines, or benefit cuts unless you pay immediately — usually via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. None of these agencies operate this way. The IRS sends paper letters. The SSA does not threaten arrest. Hang up.
A caller claims a grandchild or family member is in trouble — arrested, in the hospital, kidnapped — and needs money wired immediately. The voice may even sound like them (AI voice cloning is now common). Hang up and call the actual family member directly on a known number. If they answer, the call was a scam.
A text or email says a package can't be delivered, you have an unpaid order, or you need to "confirm" a delivery. The link sends you to a fake login page that captures your credentials, or installs malware. Real shipping companies don't send links — they direct you to log in through the app or website directly. If in doubt, open the app, don't click the link.
Someone you've been talking to online for weeks or months asks for money — for a flight, a medical emergency, a business deal that needs a quick loan. They've never been on a video call, or the calls are short and odd. If you've never met this person in real life, the request for money is the scam regardless of how long the relationship has felt.
You've won a foreign lottery you don't remember entering, or someone you don't know died and left you money. To receive it, you need to pay "taxes" or "processing fees" upfront. There is no inheritance. There is no lottery. The payment you send is the only money that changes hands.
Almost any time someone asks to be paid in gift cards — Apple, Google Play, Amazon, Target — it's a scam. Legitimate businesses, government agencies, and utility companies do not accept gift cards. If anyone asks you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers over the phone, that conversation is a scam in progress.
An online contact (often through a dating app or social media) introduces you to a crypto investment platform that's "making them money." The platform looks legitimate, your initial investment seems to grow. When you try to withdraw, there are sudden "fees" or "taxes." The money is gone. This is one of the largest scam categories by dollar volume in 2026.
Available Monday through Saturday, 8am – 8pm. Same-day appointments when possible. I'll get back to you the same day either way.
Serving Fort Worth, Saginaw, Lake Worth, Haslet, Keller, and surrounding areas.