Readers can follow step-by-step instructions from the US Federal Trade Commission to try to recover money, protect personal information, and report scams after falling victim to fraud. These guidelines detail how to handle payments made via various methods and secure compromised accounts.
How To Get Your Money Back
If you paid a scammer, your money might be gone, but you can contact the company you used to send the money to ask for a refund. For Zelle, bank transfers, payment apps, or wire transfers, report the issue immediately to your bank, credit union, app, or wire transfer company to ask for a reversal and refund.
If you paid with a credit or debit card, report it to the issuer immediately using the number on the back of your card or via their app or online account, and ask for a refund. If you paid with a gift card, contact the issuer immediately using the number on the back of the card, tell them a scammer tricked you, ask for a refund, and keep the card and receipt if you have them.
Protecting Personal Information and Devices
If you shared your Social Security number and the scammer used it, go to IdentityTheft.gov to report it and get a customized recovery plan. If the scammer did not use your Social Security number or you are not sure, go to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach to help protect yourself.
If a scammer gained access to your computer or phone, update your security software to ensure you have the latest protections, run a scan and delete identified problems, and change your passwords while turning on two-factor authentication.
Reporting Scams to the FTC
You can report a scammer to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reporting helps the FTC build cases against scammers, spot trends, educate the public, and share data about what is happening in your community.
What to do
- Report fraudulent payments immediately to your bank, credit union, payment app, wire transfer company, or card issuer and ask for a refund or reversal.
- Contact the gift card issuer immediately using the number on the back of the card if you paid with a gift card, and keep the gift card and receipt if you have them.
- Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 immediately if you sent cash through the U.S. mail.
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov if a scammer used your Social Security number, or IdentityTheft.gov/databreach if they did not use it or you are not sure.
- Update your security software, run a scan, delete problems, change your passwords, and turn on two-factor authentication if a scammer accessed your computer or phone.
- Report scammers to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Key facts and where they come from
- Report it to your bank or credit union immediately if you paid with Zelle or a bank transfer.
Report it to your bank or credit union immediately.
- Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service immediately if you sent cash through the mail.
Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 immediately.
- Go to IdentityTheft.gov to report it if a scammer used your Social Security number.
Go to IdentityTheft.gov to report it.
- Report a scammer to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Report a scammer to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
