What To Do if You Were Scammed

How To Get Your Money Back if You Paid a Scammer

Scammers ask you to pay in ways that make it hard to track them down. If you paid a scammer, your money might be gone already. But it’s always worth asking the company you used to send the money if there’s a way to get it back. Here’s how to try to get your money back if you paid a scammer.

How To Get Your Money Back: Zelle and Bank Transfers

If you paid a scammer with Zelle or a bank transfer:

1. Report it to your bank or credit union immediately.
2. Ask them to reverse the payment and refund your money.

How To Get Your Money Back: Payment Apps

If you paid a scammer with a payment app like Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal:

1. Report it to the payment app immediately.
2. Ask them to reverse the payment and refund your money.

Here’s how to report a scam to some popular payment apps.

How To Get Your Money Back: Wire Transfers

If you sent a scammer money through a wire transfer company like Western Union or MoneyGram:

1. Report it to the wire transfer company immediately.
2. Tell them a scammer tricked you into sending money.
3. Ask them to refund your money.

Here’s how to avoid a money wiring scam and how to report a scam to some popular wire transfer companies.

How To Get Your Money Back: Credit Card Payments

If someone used your credit card without your authorization or a scammer tricked you into paying them with a credit card:

1. Report it to the credit card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of your card or log in to your account online or through their app.
2. Ask them to refund your money.

Federal law protects you from unauthorized use of your credit card. Learn how to limit your losses.

How To Get Your Money Back: Debit Card Payments

If someone used your debit card without your authorization or you were tricked into paying a scammer with a debit card:

1. Report it to your bank or credit union immediately. Use the number on the back of your card or log in to your account online or through their app.
2. Ask them to refund your money.

Federal law protects you from unauthorized use of your debit card. Learn how to limit your losses.

How To Get Your Money Back: Gift Cards

Scammers tell you to buy a gift card then ask you for the gift card number and PIN. If you paid a scammer with a gift card:

1. Contact the gift card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card.
2. Tell them that a scammer tricked you into giving them the card number and PIN.
3. Ask them to refund your money.

Keep the gift card and the receipt, if you have it. You may need them to follow up on your claim.

Here’s how to contact some popular gift card companies.

How To Get Your Money Back: Cryptocurrency

Scammers tell you to go to a cryptocurrency ATM and send money to a wallet.

If you paid a scammer with cryptocurrency:

1. Contact the cryptocurrency exchange or ATM operator immediately.
2. Tell them it was a fraudulent transaction.
3. Ask them to reverse the transaction and refund your money.

Then report it to federal law enforcement authorities:

• Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Cryptocurrency payments don’t have the same legal protections as credit and debit cards do, so it can be hard to get your money back. But some states have passed laws that might help you. Visit the National Conference of State Legislatures to search for legislation in your state.

Learn more about cryptocurrency payments and how to avoid a scam.

How To Get Your Money Back: Cash Payments

If you sent a scammer cash through the U.S. mail:

1. Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 immediately.
2. For a fee, they can intercept the package. This lets you redirect a domestic shipment that hasn’t been delivered.

Learn more about USPS Package Intercept.

If you sent cash to a scammer through another delivery service, like FedEx or UPS, contact them as soon as possible.

What To Do if You Gave a Scammer Your Personal Information

Scammers send phishing emails or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information. A scammer might use your personal information to

• steal your identity and impersonate you
• open credit or utility accounts in your name
• hack into your email or social media accounts

What to do if you gave a scammer your Social Security number

If you gave a scammer your Social Security number and they used it:

1. Go to IdentityTheft.gov to report it.
2. Get a customized recovery plan based on your situation.
3. Follow the recovery steps.

If the scammer didn’t use your Social Security number or you aren’t sure:

1. Go to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach.
2. Follow the steps to help protect yourself from identity theft.

What to do if you gave a scammer your account information

If you gave a scammer the username and password to one of your accounts and you can still log in:

1. Create a new, strong password for the account that was compromised. (If you use the same password on another account, change it there, too.)
2. Turn on two-factor authentication on the account.

If you gave a scammer the username and password to one of your accounts and you can’t log in:

1. See How To Get Back Into Your Hacked Account for links to recovery instructions for some popular accounts.
2. Then see What To Do After You Take Back Control of Your Hacked Account

What To Do if You Gave a Scammer Access to Your Computer

Scammers send phishing emails or text messages to trick you into giving them access to your phone or computer.

Here’s what to do if you gave a scammer access to your computer or phone.

1. Update your security software to make sure you have the latest protections. (If you don’t have security software, download it. Get recommendations from independent review sites, friends and family.)
2. Run a scan and delete anything it identifies as a problem.
3. Change your passwords and turn on two-factor authentication to protect your accounts.

If you need help finding or removing malware, you might get tech support from the manufacturer or a company you know and trust. Or get help from a knowledgeable friend or family member.

Learn what else you can do to protect your personal information.

How To Report a Scammer to the FTC

Report a scammer to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Why report a scammer?

When you report a scam, the FTC can use the information to

• build cases against scammers
• spot trends
• educate the public
• share data about what is happening in your community