I have been scammed
This happens to many people, including careful and clever people. It is not your fault. Acting fast gives you the best chance of stopping it.
Do these things now
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Call your bank straight away
Use the number on the back of your card or in your bank app. Never use a number from the scammer’s message.
Tell them: “I have been scammed.” Ask them to stop the transfer and protect your account. Write down the time and the name of the person you spoke to.
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Block your card or account
Your bank can do this on the call. You can also do it in your bank app, if you have one.
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Change your PINs and passwords
Change your bank app PIN and password, and your email password. If your WhatsApp was taken over, ask someone you trust to help you set it up again and turn on two-step verification.
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Tell a family member or friend you trust
You don’t have to deal with this alone. They can help you make calls and keep track of what happened.
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Report it to the police
Take your phone with you. Don’t delete anything.
If you are in Nigeria
These are official contacts, taken from each organisation’s own website in October 2026. Numbers can change. If you are unsure, use the number on the back of your card.
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Nigeria Police Force: National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC)
Report online scams and cybercrime to the police. You create a free account first.
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EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission)
Report fraud. You can send a petition online or by email.
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Central Bank of Nigeria: Consumer Protection
Complain to your bank first. If it has not sorted it out after 2 weeks, complain to the Central Bank.
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FCCPC (Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission)
Complain about a company, shop or service that cheated you.
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NCC (Nigerian Communications Commission)
Report scam calls and text messages. Call 622 free of charge.
Bank and payment app helplines (10)
Banks
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Access Bank
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FirstBank
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Fidelity Bank
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Stanbic IBTC Bank
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Wema Bank and ALAT
Fraud line. Dial the block code from the phone number registered to your account.
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Sterling Bank
Fraud desk. The block code works if you already use Sterling’s USSD banking.
Payment apps
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OPay
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Moniepoint
If your phone was stolen, someone you trust who uses Moniepoint can dial the code, choose “Stop Debit Transactions”, then “For Others”.
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PalmPay
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Kuda
To block your account from another phone, open Kuda Self Help and tap “Block My Account”.
When you feel ready
Learning how the trick worked can help you, and others, spot the next one.