Scams can happen to anyone. If you have received a suspicious message, shared personal information or lost money, taking action quickly can help protect you from further harm.
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Do not wait for a response to your scam report.
Work through these four steps in order. Acting quickly limits further loss and preserves the information CIFIU and the Police need.
Stop sending money and do not share any more information. Do not click additional links, open attachments or install apps at their request.
If someone claims to represent your bank, a business or a government agency, contact that organisation using a number you know is genuine.
Explain what happened and ask whether they can stop or recall a payment, block an affected card or secure your accounts.
Use the number on your bank card, your banking app or the bank’s official website. Keep checking your accounts and report any transactions you do not recognise.
If you shared a password, change it immediately, along with any other accounts using the same password. Start with your email account and enable two-factor authentication where available.
If someone accessed your device remotely or asked you to install suspicious software, disconnect it from the internet. Use another trusted device to contact your bank and change passwords, and seek trusted IT support.
Save messages, screenshots and payment records before blocking the sender. Record any names, phone numbers, email addresses, website links and social media profiles used.
Do not continue communicating with a scammer to collect more evidence.
You can report a suspected scam even if you did not send money. Information about attempted scams can help identify threats affecting others in the Cook Islands.
Report suspected scams and suspicious financial approaches directly to CIFIU.
If you have been targeted by a scam or believe a crime has occurred, also contact the Cook Islands Police Service.
If the scam appeared on social media, an online marketplace or another website, report the account, advertisement or listing through that platform.
Provide as much relevant information as you can, and keep supporting screenshots and receipts available.
Never include passwords, PINs, one-time security codes or full card details in your report. Ask how to provide sensitive supporting documents securely.
Pause and check before taking action.
Verify requests through a separate, trusted contact method — even when the message appears to come from someone you know.
Pressure to pay immediately or keep the arrangement secret.
Unexpected requests for passwords, security codes or account access.
Promises of guaranteed profits or unusually high investment returns.
Requests to pay a fee before receiving a prize, grant or loan.
Messages claiming to be from someone you trust but asking for unusual payments.
After a scam, you may be contacted by someone promising to recover your money for an upfront fee. They may pretend to be an investigator, lawyer or government official.
Treat unexpected recovery offers with caution. Contact your bank directly about available options. Recovering money is not guaranteed.
Being scammed can be upsetting and embarrassing. Listen without judgement, help the person contact their bank and encourage them to report what happened.
You do not need to be certain it is a scam before asking for help.
