Lost money to a scam › Debit card or bank account
Money Taken From Your Bank Account or Debit Card? What to Do
With debit cards and bank accounts, how fast you report can decide how much you lose. The protections are strongest for transfers you did not authorize, and weaker when a scammer talked you into sending the money yourself.
What to do now
- Call your bank right awayUse the number on your card or the bank's official website. Ask them to stop and reverse the payment and open a fraud claim.
- Lock down the accountAsk for the card to be cancelled, a new card issued, and alerts turned on for every transaction. If you shared online banking details, change your password from a trusted device.
- Get it in writingAsk for the claim number and follow up in writing or through secure messaging in your bank's app.
- Report the scamFile a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and at ic3.gov if it happened online.
What to say when you call
"I am calling to report fraud on my account. [Amount] was taken on [date] that I did not authorize. I want to stop and reverse it, open a fraud claim, and secure my account."
Your rights
- For electronic transfers you did not authorize, your loss can be limited to $50 if you tell your bank within 2 business days.
- If you report within 60 days, your loss can be limited to $500. After that, you could be responsible for everything.
- If you sent the payment yourself because a scammer tricked you, these limits may not apply. Banks decide these cases one by one, and some still help.
If they say no
If your bank refuses and you believe it is wrong, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Paid another way too?
- Credit card
- Zelle or bank transfer
- Venmo, Cash App or PayPal
- Wire transfer
- Gift cards
- Cryptocurrency
- Cash by mail or courier
- All steps
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice, and following it does not guarantee you will get your money back.