Privacy Emergency Protocol

Step 1: Identify and Stop the Immediate Threat

🔓

Tier 1: Account Takeover

Password stolen, unauthorized logins, or locked out of email/Apple ID.

URGENT

Immediate Triage

Revoke Active Sessions: Go to Google/Apple/Meta settings and "Sign out all other devices" immediately.
Change Password: Create a new, unique password generated by your password manager.
Audit Recovery Methods: Remove any recovery emails or phone numbers you do not recognize.

💸

Tier 2: Financial Theft

Unrecognized charges, empty bank account, or stolen credit card info.

URGENT

Stop the Bleeding

Lock Card: Use your banking app to Lock or Freeze the card instantly.
Call Bank: Report the theft and request new card numbers immediately.
Place Fraud Alert: Contact Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion to place a Fraud Alert.

💻

Tier 3: Device Compromise

Ransomware, remote access, or strange popups on your computer.

URGENT

Containment Steps

Disconnect Immediately: Turn on Airplane Mode. Unplug Ethernet. Stop data exfiltration.
Quarantine: Do NOT log into sensitive accounts from this device.
Factory Reset: The only way to be 100% sure the bad actor is gone.

📱

SIM Swapping

Bad actor hijacks your phone number to steal 2FA codes

CRITICAL

⚠️ The Risk

Once a bad actor has your number, they can reset your email and bank passwords via SMS in minutes.

📞 Call Your Carrier NOW

Verizon: 1-888-483-7200 AT&T: 1-800-331-0500 T-Mobile: 1-800-937-8997

Immediate Recovery

Call Fraud Dept: State you are a victim of SIM Swap Fraud and request an immediate account lock.
Check Financials: Log into bank/crypto accounts from a clean device and change passwords.
Update 2FA: Switch your accounts away from SMS 2FA to app-based (Authy/1Password) or hardware keys.

☎️

Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Bad actor pretending to be a bank or government agent

HIGH

🚩 Instant Red Flags

Asks for your password, PIN, or a 2FA code sent to your phone.
Threatens immediate arrest or financial loss.
Asks you to buy gift cards or install "support" software.

If Info Was Given

Passwords: Change immediately and enable non-phishable MFA.
Freeze Credit: If you gave your SSN, freeze your credit files at all 3 bureaus immediately.
Call Your Bank: If financial info was shared, call the number on the back of your card.

DON'T PANIC. ACT NOW.

Step 1: Identify and Stop the Immediate Threat

Tier 1: Account Takeover

Immediate Triage

Tier 2: Financial Theft

Stop the Bleeding

Tier 3: Device Compromise

Containment Steps

Step 2: Mitigate Scenario-Specific Damage

SIM Swapping

⚠️ The Risk

📞 Call Your Carrier NOW

Immediate Recovery

Vishing (Voice Phishing)

🚩 Instant Red Flags

If Info Was Given

Step 3: Plan for Long-Term Recovery

📚 Citing This Guide

Written by Jason

DON'T PANIC. ACT NOW.

Step 1: Identify and Stop the Immediate Threat

Tier 1: Account Takeover

Immediate Triage

Tier 2: Financial Theft

Stop the Bleeding

Tier 3: Device Compromise

Containment Steps

Step 2: Mitigate Scenario-Specific Damage

SIM Swapping

⚠️ The Risk

📞 Call Your Carrier NOW

Immediate Recovery

Vishing (Voice Phishing)

🚩 Instant Red Flags

If Info Was Given

Step 3: Plan for Long-Term Recovery

📚 Citing This Guide

Written by Jason

Related Guides

How to Secure Your Digital Life

How to Disappear: The Advanced Privacy Guide