Scam Recovery Guide — What To Do After Being Scammed

Step-by-Step Recovery Plan

Step 1 — Stop All Contact With the Scammer (Do Immediately)

Block the scammer on all platforms. Do not send any more money, even if they threaten you or claim you owe fees. Screenshot all conversations before blocking — these are your evidence for police and bank disputes.

Step 2 — Contact Your Bank Within the First Hour

Call the fraud number on the back of your card immediately. Ask for a chargeback or wire recall. Wire transfers can sometimes be reversed within 24–48 hours — every minute counts. For crypto payments, contact the exchange's fraud team and provide the scammer's wallet address and transaction hash.

Step 3 — File Official Reports Today

File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC) and ic3.gov (FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center). These reports are required for chargebacks, insurance claims, and any law enforcement investigation. If you lost crypto, include wallet addresses and transaction IDs in your report.

Step 4 — Freeze Your Credit at All Three Bureaus

A credit freeze is free and prevents scammers from opening new accounts in your name. Freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Also place a fraud alert — creditors must then verify your identity before issuing credit.

Step 5 — Secure Your Accounts

Change passwords on email, banking, and social media accounts. Use a unique strong password for each account. Enable two-factor authentication. Check for unfamiliar devices logged into your accounts and remove them. Check if your email is forwarding to an unknown address — a common scammer tactic.

Step 6 — File a Police Report This Week

File a report with your local police department. Get the report number — banks and credit card companies require it for chargebacks. Some fraud losses may be tax-deductible as theft losses; consult a tax professional. Bring all documentation: screenshots, payment receipts, correspondence, and transaction records.

Step 7 — Consider Professional Recovery Help (Crypto Cases)

For cryptocurrency losses over $5,000, blockchain forensics firms like CNC Intelligence can trace stolen funds and work with law enforcement. Warning: "crypto recovery services" that ask for upfront fees are almost always secondary scams. Only work with licensed professionals who operate on a contingency basis. Check your recovery eligibility free →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my money back after being scammed?

It depends on the payment method and how quickly you act. Credit card payments have the strongest protection (Fair Credit Billing Act). Debit cards have moderate protection if reported within 2 days. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency have the least protection, but tracing and partial recovery is possible in some cases, especially if you act within the first 24–48 hours.

How long does scam recovery take?

Credit card chargebacks typically resolve in 60–90 days. Bank wire recalls can succeed in 1–5 business days if filed immediately, or fail entirely if delayed. Cryptocurrency recovery through law enforcement typically takes 6–18 months. FBI IC3 and FTC investigations can take 1–3 years but increase the chance of asset seizure and restitution.

Should I pay a recovery service to get my money back?

Never pay upfront fees to a recovery service — this is one of the most common secondary scams targeting victims. Legitimate recovery professionals only charge contingency fees (a percentage of what is recovered). Free options include the FTC's personalized recovery plan at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, FBI IC3, and your bank's fraud department.

What evidence do I need to report a scam?

Gather: screenshots of all conversations, payment receipts and bank statements, the scammer's phone numbers and email addresses, any website URLs they sent you, wallet addresses and transaction IDs (for crypto), dates and amounts of all payments, and any fake documents they sent (fake certificates, IDs, company documents).