First 24 Hours After Being Scammed — Singapore
Sourced from Singapore Acts of Parliament, subsidiary legislation, and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Three jobs in parallel. Call your bank's fraud line — SPF ASC works directly with major Singapore banks to freeze tainted recipient accounts when promptly reported, and the Shared Responsibility Framework (in force 16 Dec 2024) may share losses with the bank where the bank's anti-scam obligations were breached. Call ScamShield 1799 or use the ScamShield app. Report online at police.gov.sg. Preserve evidence.
Emergency: 999. ScamShield: 1799. MAS: 1800-377-2255.
When does it apply?
- Unauthorised debit / credit card or online-banking transaction on your Singapore bank account.
- You authorised a transfer in response to a phishing message / impersonation — SRF coverage.
- OTP, Singpass, or m-banking login disclosed to a scammer.
- Online purchase fraud (Carousell, Facebook Marketplace, Lazada).
- Investment / crypto / 'love scam' fraud.
- Sextortion / NCII.
What to Do in the First Day After Being Scammed
- Call your bank's fraud line immediately. Major banks coordinate with SPF Anti-Scam Centre.
- Call ScamShield 1799 or use the app.
- Report at police.gov.sg.
- For SRF-eligible phishing scams, retain all communications — bank/telco anti-scam obligation analysis depends on the records.
- Lock Singpass at singpass.gov.sg if compromised.
- Preserve evidence. Cloud-save.
- Write a one-page timeline. Bank reference, police report number, ScamShield reference. FIDReC escalation will ask for them.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't share OTP / Singpass / banking credentials with anyone.
- Don't pay 'recovery agents' upfront. All Singapore channels are free.
- Don't delete WhatsApp / SMS evidence.
- Don't miss the FIDReC 6-month clock from the bank's final response.
Common Questions
What is the Shared Responsibility Framework?
The MAS / IMDA Shared Responsibility Framework for Phishing Scams came into force on 16 December 2024. First-of-its-kind in Asia. SRF sets specific anti-scam obligations on banks and telcos (e.g., 12-hour cooling-off period for high-risk activities, near-real-time outgoing transaction alerts, kill switch facility). Where obligations are breached AND a phishing scam occurs, losses may be shared between bank, telco, and consumer. Important: SRF covers phishing scams specifically — not all authorised-but-induced transfers.
What is ScamShield?
ScamShield is a Singapore Police Force / NCPC initiative. It includes: (a) the ScamShield app (blocks scam SMS / calls based on a centrally-managed database); (b) the ScamShield helpline 1799 for advice and reporting; (c) integration with SPF Anti-Scam Centre operations.
Is the SPF Anti-Scam Centre the same as police-reporting?
The SPF Anti-Scam Centre is a specialist unit within SPF that coordinates rapid response — particularly freezing tainted recipient accounts when scams are reported promptly. Police reports at police.gov.sg create the formal record; the ASC operates the rapid-response intervention. Both happen in parallel for serious cases.
What's the FIDReC timeline?
FIDReC accepts complaints after the bank has issued its final response. Six-month clock from the bank's final response. FIDReC is free for retail consumers; mediation first, adjudication if needed. Award cap SGD 100,000 for most banking complaints; SGD 250,000 for some categories. Binding on firm if accepted by complainant.
When does it apply — first 24 hours after being scammed?
Unauthorised debit / credit card or online-banking transaction on your Singapore bank account.You authorised a transfer in response to a phishing message / impersonation — SRF coverage.OTP, Singpass, or m-banking login disclosed to a scammer.Online purchase fraud (Carousell, Facebook Marketplace, Lazada).Investment / crypto / 'love scam' fraud.Sextortion / NCII.
What should I do immediately after being scammed in Singapore?
Call your bank's fraud line immediately. Major banks coordinate with SPF Anti-Scam Centre.Call ScamShield 1799 or use the app.Report at police.gov.sg.For SRF-eligible phishing scams, retain all communications — bank/telco anti-scam obligation analysis depends on the records.Lock Singpass at singpass.gov.sg if compromised.Preserve evidence. Cloud-save.Write a one-page timeline. Bank reference, police report number, ScamShield reference. FIDReC escalation will ask for them.
What should you NOT do — first 24 hours after being scammed?
Don't share OTP / Singpass / banking credentials with anyone.Don't pay 'recovery agents' upfront. All Singapore channels are free.Don't delete WhatsApp / SMS evidence.Don't miss the FIDReC 6-month clock from the bank's final response.