Cyberattack: what to do? Scam texts, hacked accounts, blackout after an attack

⏱ 4 min read

Scam texts, hacked accounts, power and services down. Below: what to do right away, what next, when to call 112 and what to avoid. The same instructions are in the free SurvivalZone.app and work without internet.

Open in the app (works offline)

First, right now

Do not click links or attachments in texts, emails or messengers, even if they look like your bank, a courier, the tax office or a warning about an “attack”. In the UK forward scam texts free to 7726; in Poland to 8080.
Check news in reliable sources: public radio, official government websites and emergency alerts. Do not believe or share claims that the state has collapsed.
Gave away details or see strange payments? Call your bank straight away on the number on your card or its website and block the card.

Then

Change your passwords, starting with email and banking. Do it from another, trusted device and turn on two-step verification.
Warn family and friends that someone may write from your account and ask for money or codes.
Agree a family code word. If a “grandson” or “police officer” calls asking for money, even in a familiar voice, ask for the word and call back on a number you know.
Report the scam to your national cyber security centre or police. If you lost money, report it to the police too.
A large attack on a country can knock out power, the mobile network, the internet and payments at the same time. Switch to your 72-hour plan: cash in small notes, water, food that needs no cooking, a battery radio, a torch and a charged power bank.
Hospitals and clinics may have to work without computers, and e-prescriptions and pharmacies may not work. Keep a printed medical card with medicines and doses, and a few days of your regular medicines. In an emergency go to A&E or call 112.
If phones stop working, do not search for each other across town. Meet at your agreed family meeting point at the agreed time.
Save your phone battery and listen to announcements on the radio. Public broadcasters keep transmitting on battery-powered radios during outages.
Every day: update your phone and apps, install only from the official store, back up photos and documents.

When to call 112

Someone is threatening you or your family or extorting money, or an outage after an attack puts lives at risk, for example no heating, water or power for a sick person's medical equipment.

What not to do

Never give a one-time code, password or card details by phone, text or messenger.
Do not install remote-access apps because a “bank employee” or “police officer” asks you to.
Do not pay a ransom or blackmailers. Keep the evidence and report it.
Do not post photos of military units or key sites such as bridges and stations.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I report a scam text message?

In the UK forward it free to 7726. In Poland forward it to 8080. Then delete it.

I clicked a link and entered my bank details. What now?

Call your bank straight away and block the card or access. Change passwords from another device, turn on two-step verification and report it to the police.

How can I tell if news about an attack is true?

Compare it across several independent, reliable sources such as public radio and official government websites. Do not forward unverified messages.

What should I do if a cyberattack shuts down power, phones and hospitals?

Switch to your 72-hour plan: cash, water, food, a battery radio and a torch. Keep a printed medical card and spare medicines, meet at your agreed family meeting point and follow radio announcements. If a life is at risk, go to A&E or call 112.

Keep it on your phone

SurvivalZone.app is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.

Open SurvivalZone.app

Thank you for reading. If this could help someone, send it to the people you care about. Getting ready takes a moment, and in a crisis every minute counts.

Coming soon: the app’s permanent address will be survivalzone.app.

Other scenarios

Sources

Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-11-04.

General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.