What should I do if I clicked a phishing email or scam link?
Straight answers for Volusia County homes and small businesses, written in plain language.
Do not panic, but act fast. What matters most is what happened after the click. Opening a page is different from entering a password, downloading a file, or giving payment information.
Here are the most common things to look at before you start changing a lot of settings.
Common causes
- A fake Microsoft, bank, shipping, or social media email looked real.
- A link opened a fake login page.
- A file or attachment was downloaded.
- A password, card number, or personal information was entered.
What you can try first
- Close the page and do not go back to it.
- If you entered a password, change it from a trusted device and turn on account security options.
- Check recent login activity on the affected account.
- If a file was downloaded, do not open it again and run a trusted security scan.
When to stop guessing
Get help right away if you entered a business email password, banking information, remote-access code, or if the computer starts acting strange after the click.
How this fits local homes and small businesses
For small businesses, one stolen email account can lead to fake invoices, password resets, and customer scams. We can help check the device, email account, and next steps.
Keep the next step simple
Write down what happened, what changed, and any error message you see. That gives us a better starting point and keeps the repair focused.