Scam Help Centre

Scam help starts here.

Whether you are dealing with a scam right now, helping someone else or learning how to stay protected, choose the option that best matches your situation.

Choose Your Next Step

What Do You Need Help With?

Start with the situation that feels closest to what is happening.

!

Is money being taken or transferred right now?

End contact and call your bank, card provider or payment service immediately using its official app, website or the number printed on your card. Do not use contact details supplied by the caller.

Scam Survival
Guide

Free Resource

Download the Scam Guide

A straightforward guide to recognising common scams, responding safely and helping friends or relatives who may be targeted.

  • Common warning signs and pressure tactics
  • Steps to take after paying or sharing information
  • Remote-access and account-security guidance
  • Reporting resources and evidence checklists
Download the free guide

Immediate Next Steps

Think You’ve Been Scammed?

Act quickly, but do not panic. The right next step depends on what was shared, installed or paid.

1

Stop contact

End the call, chat or remote session. Do not send additional money or information, even if the person threatens you.

2

Contact the payment provider

Tell your bank, card issuer, payment app, wire service or gift card company that the payment was connected to fraud.

3

Secure important accounts

Change exposed passwords from a trusted device. Change reused passwords too, and enable multifactor authentication.

4

Preserve evidence

Save emails, phone numbers, usernames, receipts, transaction details, screenshots and remote-access software names.

5

Report the incident

Report it to the relevant platform, financial institution and official fraud or identity-theft agency in your country.

Remote-Access Warning

Did Someone Connect to Your Device?

Treat the computer or phone as potentially exposed until you have ended the connection, secured important accounts and checked the device.

1

End the session and disconnect

Close the remote-access program and disconnect the affected device from the internet if access may still be active.

2

Use another trusted device

Change email, banking and other important passwords from a device the scammer did not access.

3

Contact your bank

Tell the bank if financial accounts were viewed, credentials were entered or money was moved.

4

Update and scan the device

Update security software and the operating system, then run a complete security scan.

5

Get trusted technical help

Seek help from a reputable local technician if you are unsure whether access has been fully removed.

Plain-English Definitions

Common Scam Definitions

Open a term to learn what it means and the warning sign most often associated with it.

Remote-Access Scam
A scammer persuades someone to install software that allows them to see or control the device. A major warning sign is an unexpected caller insisting they need access to fix a problem, process a refund or protect an account.
Refund or Tech-Support Scam
A fake invoice, subscription renewal or computer warning directs the victim to call a number. The scammer then claims a refund or repair requires remote access, banking information or payment.
Safe-Account Scam
Someone impersonating a bank, police officer or government agent claims money must be moved to a special account for protection. Legitimate institutions do not create secret safe accounts for customers to transfer money into.
Phishing, Smishing and Vishing
Phishing uses deceptive messages to obtain information or cause a harmful click. Smishing happens by text message, while vishing happens through phone calls or voice messages.
Spoofing
A scammer disguises a phone number, email address, website or sender name so the contact appears to come from a trusted organisation or person.
Romance Scam
A scammer builds an online relationship and gradually creates reasons to request money, cryptocurrency, gift cards or access to financial accounts.
Recovery Scam
Someone targets a previous scam victim and claims they can recover lost money for an upfront payment, fee or release charge.
Money Mule
A person receives, transfers or transports money or packages for criminals. Some mules are knowingly involved; others are recruited through romance, job or investment scams.

Everyday Protection

Pause. Check. Protect.

A few repeatable habits can make it much harder for scammers to rush you into a decision.

Never move money to a so-called safe or protected account.
Never share passwords or one-time security codes with a caller.
Do not install remote-access software at an unexpected caller’s request.
Verify unexpected contact using an official app, website or known number.
Slow down when someone creates urgency, fear or secrecy.
Speak to someone you trust before sending large or unusual payments.
Remember that caller ID, emails and websites can be impersonated.
Use unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication where possible.

Rinoa’s Security Partner

Get a Second Opinion with Malwarebytes

Unsure whether a message, email, link or screenshot is suspicious? Malwarebytes offers tools designed to help identify scam warning signs and show where your personal information may be exposed.

Partner disclosure: Rinoa Poison partners with Malwarebytes and may receive compensation when you use this link. These tools are an additional layer of support and do not replace contacting your bank or the appropriate authorities after fraud.

Scam Guard

Check suspicious messages, emails, links, images and other content for scam warning signs and practical safety guidance.

Digital Footprint Scan

Check whether personal information connected to your email may have appeared in known online exposures or data breaches.

Help Us Investigate

Report a Scam to Rinoa Poison

Seen a suspicious website, email, message or scam operation? Share the details for possible investigation, public warnings or referral to the appropriate organisation.

This form is not an emergency or individual recovery service. Reports cannot guarantee a response, investigation or return of lost money. Contact your bank immediately when funds are at risk.

Report a scam

Before You Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Rinoa recover the money I lost?
Rinoa Poison cannot guarantee recovery of money and does not provide a paid recovery service. Contact the bank, card provider, payment platform or transfer service involved as quickly as possible.
Will Rinoa call the scammer for me?
Reports may be reviewed for possible investigation or content, but submitting information does not guarantee that Rinoa will contact the scammer or respond individually.
What information should I preserve?
Keep phone numbers, email addresses, website links, usernames, payment details, receipts, screenshots, remote-access software names and an approximate timeline. Do not continue engaging with the scammer simply to collect more evidence.
Should I reply to or confront the scammer?
Usually, the safest option is to stop contact, block the account and report it. Do not threaten the person or reveal that you have reported them.
How can I help a friend or relative who was scammed?
Stay calm and avoid blaming them. Help them contact the relevant financial providers, secure compromised accounts, preserve evidence and make official reports.
Is it safe to send screenshots?
Remove or cover passwords, complete card numbers, bank account details, government identification numbers, home addresses and other sensitive personal information before submitting images.

This Help Centre provides general educational information and is not legal, financial, emergency or professional technical advice. Reporting options and consumer protections vary by country.