What to Do if You Gave Money to a Scammer

Scams can happen in a split second, especially when the people behind them sound convincing or urgent. If you’re reading this, you’re likely worried that you may have been scammed. You’re not the first smart, capable person to end up in this situation. Being scammed is far more common than most people realize. In fact, three-quarters of Americans have experienced an online scam or attack.

Scammers are highly skilled at targeting their victims, impersonating trusted institutions, and using calls, texts, or emails to trick people into providing sensitive information. With so many opportunities for online scams, it’s no surprise that internet scams are skyrocketing. Scams can happen to anyone, but what matters most is what you do next.

End Communication with the Scammer

Nothing good can come of continuing to correspond with a scammer. Scam prevention experts advise against continued communication with the scammer. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to convince them to return your money, and you may even be leaving the door open for them to further exploit you.

Contact Your Financial Institution

If you’ve been scammed, you’ll want to act fast. The quicker you report the incident, the better your chances are of getting your money recovered.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, or Bank Transfers

Start by contacting your bank or credit card company to let them know you’ve been a victim of a scam. Be prepared to provide as much detail as possible, including the date of the transaction, the amount, the type of scam, and any communication you had with the scammer. They will likely freeze or replace your card, and may even be able to reverse the fraudulent transaction to get you your money back. If the scammers are already in your account, the bank can change your account number to keep them from getting continued access.

Gift Cards

Many scams involve purchasing gift cards, which the scammer can quickly empty. However, if you contact the issuing company fast enough, you may be able to cancel the card before the scammer has a chance to spend it. Each gift card company has its own policies, and outcomes can vary depending on whether the funds have already been redeemed.

Payment Apps

Payment apps, such as Venmo, PayPal, and Apple Pay, each have their own policies on disputing fraudulent transactions. Reach out to the app’s support center directly to report an issue. These platforms often distinguish between “authorized” and “unauthorized” payments, which affects whether you qualify for reimbursement. For example, if you voluntarily sent money but were tricked into doing so, the platform may treat it differently than a transaction made without your consent.

Report the Scam to the Authorities

Filing a complaint with the authorities creates documentation that may be needed for insurance claims, identity theft recovery, or future legal proceedings. It also helps law enforcement agencies identify patterns, trace criminal networks, and warn the public about emerging threats. Even if you don’t recover your funds, your report may prevent someone else from falling victim to the same scam.

Before filing, gather any screenshots, receipts, email headers, or phone numbers associated with the scam. This ensures your report is as complete and actionable as possible.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is where you’ll want to contact if you’re dealing with fraud. When you file a report with the FTC, you’ll receive a reference number you can use to update information or provide additional evidence later. While the FTC does not resolve individual fraud cases, your report helps them identify large-scale scams.

The FTC also runs identitytheft.gov, a resource for victims to report identity theft and get assistance recovering from identity theft. This site provides personalized recovery plans, so you know exactly what to do next based on your situation.

Once submitted, your FTC report is shared with more than 2,800 law enforcers and is used to build cases to support their law enforcement investigations.

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

If the scam took place online, you’ll want to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). IC3 is the FBI’s primary hub for cybercrime, where you can report everything from fraud and scams to bad business practices. IC3 forwards complaints to the appropriate local, state, federal, or international agencies. They also offer resources for you to educate yourself on the latest cyber scams.

Local Law Enforcement

You should also consider filing a report with your local police. Local police reports can be especially helpful if you need documentation for your bank, insurance provider, or credit bureaus. Depending on your situation, different scams may require you to reach out to different local, state, or federal agencies, so double check that you’re alerting all the appropriate authorities.

Update Your Information

Change the logins and passwords for your compromised accounts. Be sure to choose strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication. If the scammer has access to your computer, update your security software and remove any problems identified. If your cell phone was compromised, your phone provider can help you take back control of your number and account.

Check out our guide for more tips on keeping your financial information safe online.

Gather Documentation

Now that you’ve notified your financial institutions and contacted the authorities, it’s crucial to gather any evidence, such as messages with the scammers, receipts of fraudulent transactions, usernames, URLs, screenshots, and any other information that could help identify the scammer. Not only will this aid your investigation, but it could improve your chances of recovering any money you lost.

Protect Your Credit

You can add additional protection by placing a free, one-year fraud alert on your account by contacting one of the three credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, or Equifax). A fraud alert means businesses must verify your identity before issuing new credit in your name. If needed, you can extend the fraud alert for an additional cost.

Moving forward, you’ll want to keep an eye on your credit reports and financial accounts for any new suspicious activity.

Seek Support

Recovering financially after a scam is the focus for most victims, but it’s important not to neglect your emotional recovery as well. Many scam victims experience shock, shame, anxiety, and a sense of violation, particularly when scams rely on psychological manipulation to make victims feel unsafe and more likely to comply. Psychologist Dr. Patricia Harney, herself a scam victim, notes that this emotional distress is a natural response to feeling threatened and deceived.

Seeking emotional support from trusted friends, family, or a mental health professional can be an important step in recovering your sense of safety and regaining confidence after an incident like this.

Know that being scammed doesn’t reflect your intelligence or character. Recovering from a scam takes time, but this experience does not define you. By taking the right steps, you can restore your security, rebuild trust in yourself, and move forward with clarity and confidence.