Scammed After a Bank Transfer? What to Do in the First Thirty Minutes

Scammed After a Bank Transfer? The First Thirty Minutes Matter Most

If you've just realised money left your account and it wasn't legitimate, the instinct to panic is real, but the next few minutes matter more than the next few hours. Here's exactly what to do, in order, based on official ScamShield guidance.

Step 1: Call your bank's anti-scam hotline, immediately

This is the single most time-critical step. If your bank account or card has been compromised, the bank can take immediate action to limit further loss, but only if you call before more damage happens. Every major bank in Singapore has a dedicated anti-scam hotline, separate from general customer service, look this up now if you don't already have it saved.

Step 2: File a police report

Once you've alerted your bank, report the incident to the police:

Online: via the Police e-Services portal
In person: at your nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre or Post
Scam-specific hotline: 1800-255-0000, or use the I-Witness e-Service
Emergency: 999

A police report matters for two reasons: it starts the formal investigation, and it's often required documentation if you pursue recovery through your bank or the Protection from Scams Act framework.

Step 3: Secure any other accounts

If the scam involved you sharing a password, OTP, or clicking a malicious link, assume other accounts using the same login details may be compromised too. Change passwords immediately and enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication wherever it's available, don't limit this to just the account the money left from.

Step 4: Report to the platform, if relevant

If the scam happened through a specific e-commerce platform, social media account, or messaging app, report the incident there too. Platforms can sometimes flag or restrict the scammer's account faster than other channels.

If you're not sure whether something is a scam yet

Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 before acting, whether that's clicking a link, making a payment, or sharing any personal information. It's faster to check first than to undo a transfer after the fact.

What happens after you've done all four

Recovery isn't guaranteed, and it depends on how quickly your bank and the police can act, which is exactly why speed in these first steps matters more than anything else you do afterward. Some cases fall under Singapore's Protection from Scams Act, which allows police to freeze suspicious accounts, but this depends on the specifics of your case being reported promptly.

If the scam leaves you financially exposed

Beyond the immediate steps, a scam can leave a real financial gap, whether that's money you can't recover or a bill you can no longer cover this month. If you're facing that kind of shortfall, it's worth understanding your actual, legitimate borrowing options before making any further financial decisions under pressure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the very first thing I should do if I've just been scammed? Call your bank's anti-scam hotline immediately, before anything else. Banks can only limit further loss if you act quickly.

Do I need to file a police report even for a small amount? Yes, it's worth filing regardless of amount. It formally starts an investigation and may be required for any recovery process.

What if I'm not sure whether I've actually been scammed? Call the 24/7 ScamShield Helpline at 1799 before taking any action, it's faster to verify first than to undo a payment or shared detail afterward.

Should I change passwords on accounts unrelated to the scam? Yes, if you shared a password, OTP, or clicked a suspicious link, assume any account using the same credentials could be at risk and secure them too.

Can the police freeze the scammer's bank account? In certain cases under the Protection from Scams Act, police can take action to freeze suspicious accounts, this depends on your case specifics and how promptly it's reported.

Lendela is a personal loan comparison platform helping people in Singapore and Hong Kong compare rates from over 70 lenders through one application, privately and without impacting their credit score.

Sources: ScamShield: I've been scammed, MoneySense: I suspect I've been scammed. Figures and hotlines current as of August 2026, confirm current numbers directly with ScamShield or your bank.