Did you just click a scam link? Here's what to do next.

Let’s be real: spotting a scam isn’t as easy as it used to be.

Today’s online scams are faster, smarter, and more convincing than ever—and with the rise of AI-generated messages, fake websites, and impersonation tactics, almost anyone can be fooled.

In fact, 43% of people who say they know how to recognize a scam still fell for one in the past year, according to F-Secure. Even people who are actively on the lookout are getting caught off guard.

But the good news? If you’re prepared, you can stop a scam before it causes damage—even if you do click.

First, what actually is a scam link?

It’s a trap disguised as something you can trust. It might arrive in a text claiming to be from your bank, an email from your “boss”, or a direct message from a brand you recognize – or then you might just see it in a forum or video description. The goal is simple: to get you to click. And once you do, that link might lead to a fake login page, download a malicious file, or open the door to malware. And these scams are everywhere. According to GASA, Nearly $1.026 trillion was lost to scams worldwide in 2024, yet only 4% of victims were able to recover their money. That’s why prevention is a much better alternative to dealing with scams than trying to fix things afterwards.

So—what should you do if you click?

Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or sometime this year, it’s highly likely you’ll end up clicking a suspicious link. 56% of people encounter scams at least monthly, and 50% believe they’re likely to fall victim to cybercrime in the future according to a 2025 survey by F-Secure.

Here’s your go-to plan for what to do next if you suspect that the link you clicked is a bad one.

1. Stop. Don’t enter any information.

Typically, nothing bad happens if you just click the link and visit the site. But here’s the tricky part – you need to figure out it’s a scam page before entering a password, submitting personal info, or confirming a payment.

Even if the page looks polished and official, don’t rush. Take a second to double-check the web address. Is it what you expected? Look closely—scammers often use URLs that are almost identical to the real thing. Think amazon-support.com instead of amazon.com. Also: watch for misspellings, blurry logos, or awkward grammar. These little red flags often show up if you’re dealing with a copycat.

But if you haven’t done anything other than click the scam link, you are likely still on the safe side. Just leave the page.

2. If you entered information—change your passwords now

Things start to get more serious if you interact with the page. Let’s say you went a step too far and entered login details. That’s OK—it happens. The next step is to reset your password immediately.

And if you reuse that password on multiple accounts, change it everywhere else too. Use strong, unique passwords across your accounts, and if you haven’t already, consider using a password manager to make this easier and safer long term.

3. Run a scan for malware

Some phishing links don’t need you to enter anything—they install malware automatically. These attacks can steal data silently, hijack your browsing, or even monitor your activity.

That’s why it’s smart to run a scan with security software as soon as possible. Tools like Hawaiian Telcom SafeGuard don't just react to threats—but actively block phishing sites, fake links, and malicious messages before you get to them.

4. Watch your finances and accounts

If the scam involved anything financial—like a shopping site, a bank message, or an app tied to your credit card—contact your provider immediately. Most financial institutions can help you lock down accounts, monitor activity, and reissue new cards quickly.

If you shared especially sensitive information (like your Social Security number), you might also want to freeze your credit card as a precaution.

Smart protection makes the difference in keeping your money safe

Clicking doesn’t always mean disaster—but entering your info, downloading a file, or sending money can lead to serious consequences: financial fraud, account takeover or even identity theft. But while you can’t predict every scam, you can prepare for them.

Advanced protection now goes far beyond antivirus. The best solutions today:

• Warn you about fake websites and phishing traps hidden behind scam links
• Block scam texts that spread malicious links
• Help you create and store unique passwords for easy access
• Block and detect malware automatically