SO, YOU’VE BEEN SCAMMED

Scammers are professionals and are good at what they do. They make money by taking your money and are prevalent and persistent in both the on-line and physical worlds. It is no shame to have been scammed given how good they are. The following are some things you can do and resources you can contact should you have been scammed. Note that this list was accurate at the time of creation, but can change over time. Current contact information for the resources listed should be researched at the time you need their assistance.

IMMEDIATE RESPONDERS (First 24 – 72 Hour)

Financial institutions act fastest to limit monetary loss; law enforcement and federal agencies investigate patterns and larger schemes; consumer protection agencies record complaints and may initiate civil enforcement; victim‑service NGOs provide emotional and practical recovery support. Expect some actions (like bank chargebacks) to be immediate and others (law enforcement investigations, restitution) to take weeks or months.

Bank or credit card issuer — call immediately to stop or dispute transactions, freeze accounts, and request chargeback or reversal.
Local police — file a police report for theft or fraud; required by some banks/insurers and helpful when asserting identity theft.
State attorney general consumer protection office — report the scam and get local guidance on remedies and state resources.
Federal agencies — submit complaints to the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) for consumer fraud and to the FBI IC3 for internet-enabled charity and imposter scams. Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection for mail related scams (www.uspis.gov/report).

IDENTITY & CREDIT RECOVERY

IdentityTheft.gov — step‑by‑step recovery plan, sample letters, and the ability to create an identity‑theft report that helps place fraud alerts and freezes.
Major credit bureaus (Equifax [1-800-525-6285], Experian [1-888-397-3742], TransUnion [1-800-680-7289]) — place a fraud alert or credit freeze; request free copies of your credit report and dispute fraudulent accounts.
Bankruptcy or credit counseling agencies — for severe financial damage, consult certified nonprofit credit counselors or legal aid for options.
ChexSystems – Add a security alert on compromised bank accounts. 1-800-428-9623, chexsystems.com.

FEDERAL & NATIONAL VICTIM-SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

FBI field office — investigates large-scale and interstate charity fraud and impersonation scams. The Honolulu FBI Office is at 91-1300 Enterprise St, Kapolei, HI 96707. Telephone (808) 566-4300.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) — collects consumer complaints and provides recovery resources and identity‑theft guides.
Cybercrime Support Network / Cybercrime Support — emotional support, recovery resources, and referrals to pro bono services for cyber victims.
AARP Fraud Watch Network — guidance and counseling for older adults, including referral help and educational materials.
National Center for Victims of Crime — advocacy resources and guides for victim service providers helping fraud victims.
FINRA Foundation / investor protection groups — help victims of investment‑related fraud and direct to recovery/legal resources.

NON-PROFIT & COMMUNITY SUPPORT (Emotional + Practical)

Give an Hour, SCARS, and similar support groups — trauma‑informed counseling and peer support programs for scam survivors.
Local nonprofit victim‑assistance programs — many states and larger counties offer victim advocates who can help navigate reporting, victim compensation, and referrals.
Community senior services and elder‑abuse programs — target support for kūpuna or other high‑risk groups, including counseling and case management. Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11, https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/find-help-or-report-abuse.

HAWAII SPECIFIC RESOURCES

Office of the Attorney General of Hawaii, Consumer Protection Division — to report scams and get state‑level guidance and enforcement.
Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) — consumer complaints, licensing checks for solicitors, and guidance on door‑to‑door fundraising rules.
County police departments and local victim services — file local reports and get referrals to social and financial support services.
Local nonprofits and health systems — many Hawai‘i organizations run outreach for older adults after scams, offering “no blame” counseling and resources.

LEGAL HELP & RECOVERY THROUGH COURT OR RESTITUTION

Private attorneys (consumer protection / elder law / civil fraud) — can pursue restitution, asset recovery, or civil suits when losses are large or traceable.
Pro bono legal services and legal aid — many jurisdictions have programs that assist low‑ and moderate‑income victims with fraud claims and paperwork.
State enforcement actions — state attorneys general can pursue civil penalties and restitution against operators of fraudulent charities.