If you have just realised that a payment, a code or your details went to a scammer, act now rather than wait. Banks and payment companies can sometimes stop or reverse a payment if they hear quickly.
The steps below follow the Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on what to do if you were scammed (Federal Trade Commission). The same first steps apply in most countries.
The short answer. Contact the company you paid through straight away, using the number on your card or in its official app, say you were tricked, and ask for the payment to be stopped or reversed. Change any password you shared and turn on two-step login. Then report the scam to the official service in your country.
By how you paid
- Credit or debit card: call the number on the back of the card or use the bank’s app, report the charge and ask for a refund.
- Bank transfer: call your bank and ask them to reverse the payment.
- Money transfer company such as Western Union or MoneyGram: tell the company you were tricked into sending money and ask for a refund.
- Payment app such as PayPal, Venmo or Cash App: report the payment in the app and ask for a reversal.
- Gift card: contact the company that issued the card, using the number on the card, explain that a scammer has the card number and PIN, and ask for a refund. Keep the card and the receipt.
- Cryptocurrency: contact the exchange or cash machine operator you used and report the transaction as fraud. Recovery is harder, because cryptocurrency has fewer legal protections than cards.
If you gave details, a code or access
- A password: change it on the real website or app, and anywhere else you used it, then turn on two-step login.
- An identity number such as a Social Security number: in the United States, follow the steps at IdentityTheft.gov. Elsewhere, contact your country’s fraud prevention service, listed on the official help page.
- Remote access to your computer or phone: update or install security software, run a scan, delete anything it flags, change your passwords and ask the maker of the device or a trusted technician for help.
Report it
In the United States, report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Every other country’s service is on the official help page. Reports help agencies warn others and build cases.
Watch for a second scam: anyone who contacts you offering to recover your money for a fee is very likely a scammer too. The guide Someone offers to get your money back explains why.
Questions people ask
Can I get my money back after paying a scammer?
Sometimes, if you act quickly. Card payments have the strongest protections. Contact the company you paid through straight away and ask for the payment to be stopped or reversed.
Should I pay someone who says they can recover my money?
No. Recovery offers that ask for a fee are a well-known second scam aimed at people who have already lost money.