What actions should you take if think been tricked by a fishing scam?

1. Stop communicating with the scammer. Do not reply to any further emails, texts, or phone calls. This will only confirm that your email address or phone number is active, and you may receive more scam attempts in the future.

2. Report the scam to the authorities. You should report the scam to the following agencies:

- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP or online at ftc.gov/complaint

- Your state attorney general's office

- Your local police department

- The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov/complaint

3. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. This will make it more difficult for the scammer to open new accounts in your name. You can place a fraud alert by contacting any of the three major credit bureaus:

- Experian: 1-888-397-3742 or online at experian.com/fraudalert

- TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289 or online at transunion.com/fraudalert

- Equifax: 1-888-766-0008 or online at equifax.com/fraudalert

4. Change your passwords. The scammer may have your email address or password if you fell victim to a phishing scam. Change your passwords for all of your online accounts, especially those that contain sensitive information, such as your bank account or social media profiles.

5. Monitor your credit reports for fraudulent activity. Scammers may use your personal information to open new accounts or make fraudulent purchases. Monitor your credit reports regularly to make sure that there is no unauthorized activity.

6. File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB can investigate the company or organization that sent you the phishing scam and may be able to help you get your money back if you were scammed.