The sooner you act, the better. The right first call depends on how the money left your hands.
Start with how you paid
Bank transferReport it to your bank or credit union right away and ask them to reverse the payment and refund you.
Payment app or mobile walletReport it to the app or provider immediately and ask for a reversal and refund.
Wire transfer (such as Western Union or MoneyGram)Report it to the company right away, say you were tricked, and ask for a refund.
Credit or debit cardCall the number on the back of the card or use your app. Say it was fraud and ask for a refund.
Gift cardsContact the card company using the number on the card. Say a scammer got the number and PIN, and ask for a refund. Keep the card and receipt.
CryptocurrencyContact the exchange or ATM operator at once and say the transaction was fraudulent. Recovery is hard, but report it.
Cash sent by mail or courierIn the US, call the Postal Inspection Service on 1-877-876-2455 immediately. For FedEx or UPS, contact the carrier.
Then, depending on what else you shared
A passwordChange it, and change it anywhere you reused it. Turn on two-factor authentication. If you are locked out, use the service's account recovery steps.
An ID numberIf it was misused, report it as identity theft with your country's service (in the US, IdentityTheft.gov). Ask your bank or credit bureau about a fraud alert or freeze.
Remote access to your deviceUpdate your security software and run a full scan. Remove anything it flags. Change your passwords and turn on two-factor authentication.
Never pay anyone who offers to get your money back
Fake recovery services contact people who have just lost money. A real agency never asks for a fee up front.
Who to contact in your countrySources
- US Federal Trade Commission: What to do if you were scammed (Checked 18 Oct 2026)
- US Federal Trade Commission: Refund and recovery scams (Checked 18 Oct 2026)