The Scam Exposed · Help after a scam
Lost money to a scam?
The next hour matters.
Banks and payment companies can sometimes stop or reverse a payment, but only if they hear from you quickly. This page shows who to call first for the way you paid, what to say, and where to report it.
It is not your fault. These scams are run by organized groups who do this all day. Taking the steps below now is what counts.
- Right now
- Call your bank, card or payment company. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Within 2 business days
- Report unauthorized debit or bank transfers. Your loss can be capped at $50.
- Today or tomorrow
- Report to the FTC and, if online, the FBI. Change passwords you shared.
- Within 60 days
- Dispute credit card charges in writing, from the date the statement was sent.
Step 1
How did you pay?
Pick the way you paid to open a step by step page for it. If you paid more than one way, follow each one, starting with the largest amount.
- Credit cardStrongest legal protection. Dispute in writing within 60 days.Best protected
- Debit card or bank accountReport within 2 business days to limit your loss.Depends on speed
- Zelle or bank transferCall your bank the same day to try to stop it.Act fast
- Venmo, Cash App or PayPalReport inside the app, then call your bank.Act fast
- Wire transferWestern Union, MoneyGram, Ria or a bank wire.Hard to reverse
- Gift cardsCall the card company to freeze the balance.Hard to reverse
- CryptocurrencyExchange, crypto ATM, and where to report.Hardest to recover
- Cash by mail or courierTry to stop the package before delivery.Only before delivery
Labels are a general guide to how often money can be stopped or recovered for each payment type, based on its legal protections. They are not a promise for any single case.
Step 2
What to say when you call
Calls go faster when you say exactly what happened. You can read this out word for word:
"I am calling to report fraud. A scammer tricked me into making a payment of [amount] on [date] to [name, app or account]. I want to stop or reverse this payment, open a fraud claim, and secure my account."
- Ask for a claim or reference number, and the name of the person you spoke to.
- Ask what happens next and when you will hear back.
- Ask them to add alerts and, if needed, a new card or account number.
- Write down the date and time of every call. You may need it later.
Step 3
Report it, even if you think it will not help
Reports are how agencies spot patterns and build cases. They also create a record you can point to when you deal with your bank.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission's report form, for any type of scam.
ic3.gov
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, for anything that happened online, including crypto and wire fraud.
IdentityTheft.gov
If you also gave your Social Security number, ID or account details. It builds a personal recovery plan.
Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-372-8311
For people age 60 and older, Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern. The hotline never calls you first asking for money or your Social Security number.
Lost a large amount, or someone came to your home? Also call your local police and ask for a report number.
Why speed matters
You are far from alone
reported lost to fraud by U.S. consumers in 2025, from about 3 million reports.
FTC, March 2026of 2025 scam victims surveyed said they did not know where to report it. This page is here to fix that.
Gallup poll, 2026median loss for adults 60 and older when the scam started with a phone call, the highest of any contact method.
FTC, 2024 dataWatch for a second scam. After a loss, people often get calls or messages from someone offering to recover the money for a fee, sometimes pretending to be a lawyer, an investigator or a government agency. Real agencies never charge you to get money back. Read about recovery scams.
Keep track
Your recovery checklist
- Stopped all contact with the scammer
- Called the bank, card or payment company
- Got a claim or reference number
- Disputed card charges in writing
- Reported at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Reported at ic3.gov (if online)
- Changed passwords that were shared
- Froze credit if ID or SSN was shared
- Saved messages, receipts and call notes
- Told family so they can watch for a second scam
Other situations
Gave information instead of money?
If you shared a password, a verification code, your Social Security number, or let someone onto your computer, the steps are different. Follow the checklist on the "What did you give the scammer?" section of the help page.
Helping a parent who was scammed?
Stay calm and do not blame them. Sit with them while they call the bank, use the steps above, and keep notes of every call. Afterward, a printable scam safety card next to the phone can help prevent the next one.
Questions
Common questions
Will I get my money back?
It depends mostly on how you paid and how fast you acted. Credit cards have the strongest legal protection. Debit and bank transfers depend on whether the bank treats the payment as unauthorized. Gift cards, wires, crypto and cash are much harder to recover. Reporting quickly gives you the best chance, but no one can promise a refund.
Should I call the scammer back to ask for a refund?
No. Any contact gives them another chance to take more money or information. Deal only with your bank, the payment company and official agencies.
Someone says they can recover my money for a fee. Is that real?
Treat it as a scam. Real government agencies and law enforcement do not charge victims to get money back.
Is it worth reporting a small amount?
Yes. Reports help agencies connect cases and spot new scams early, and a report gives you a record if you need to dispute a payment later.
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice, and following it does not guarantee you will get your money back. For legal recourse, consult official channels or a licensed attorney.