If you sent money to a scammer via bank transfer (wire transfer, ACH, or direct debit), contact your bank immediately to attempt to stop or recover the funds. Be sure to use the number provided on the back of your bank card or from a bank statement. The sooner you act, the better your chances of getting your money back.

Report the scam and let them know if your device was compromised or if you believe your account information is at risk.

If you have fraudulent/unauthorized bank transactions (money sent without your consent), check if they can be reversed and fill out a fraud report with the bank. Many banks allow chargebacks for unauthorized transfers if reported within 60 days.

If you authorized a money wire through your bank, provide any information you have on the details of the transfer such as the receiving account and a copy of the wire transfer receipt.

Using a credit card to pay a scammer offers the best chance at getting your money back with chargeback protections.

Call your credit card company using the number on the back of your card and explain that you were scammed or that your information has been compromised. Request a card replacement and dispute any unauthorized charges. If possible, file a chargeback.

If you sent cryptocurrency through an exchange or wallet service (Kraken, Coinbase, Binance, etc.), contact their fraud department immediately to report the scam. While crypto transactions are irreversible, they may be able to freeze or flag the scammer's wallet.

If you used a Bitcoin ATM, call the operator's customer support immediately to try and stop any pending transactions.

Important: Scammers often target the same victim again claiming they can trace and recover lost crypto for an upfront fee. This is a scam. Law enforcement may investigate crypto scams but there is no private service that can guarantee retrieval of lost crypto.

You can warn others by reporting scam wallet addresses to databases like ChainAbuse.com

If money was wired to a scammer, call the wire transfer company to tell them of the fraudulent transfer. Be ready to share transaction details, including the date, amount, and recipient’s information so they can track the transfer.

Some wire services may allow you to cancel the transaction, especially if it hasn't been picked up by the scammer yet. This is more likely to succeed if you act quickly.

Sending cash through the mail can make it difficult to recover funds, but there are still steps you can take to try and intercept the money before it reaches the scammer.

Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) to see if it’s possible to intercept the package. Be ready to share details such as the sender's and recipient's addresses, date the money was mailed, the amount sent, any tracking numbers, and a description of the package (e.g., envelope, box, etc.).

Depending on circumstances and timing, the USPIS may be able to place a hold on the package or take steps to stop it from being delivered.

If you sent money to a scammer via Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc., report the scam to the app's support team. Some providers offer limited scam and fraud protection dependent on the situation.

If you paid a scammer with gift cards, retain the gift card and receipt. Call the card issuing company (Amazon, Google Play, Apple, Visa, etc.) and tell them the card was used in a scam.

If the balance has not been used, some companies may be able to freeze it. If the funds have already been spent, it's usually impossible to get your money back, but reporting it can help authorities track scammer networks.

If someone claims they can recover your stolen gift card balance for a fee, do not pay them. This is a scam. Legitimate companies will never ask for money to recover lost money.

Call the credit bureau companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to alert them of possible identity theft. Ask them to put a freeze on your credit. This can help prevent scammers from opening accounts in your name and adds an extra layer of protection against identity theft.

If you’ve shared personal information and are concerned about identity theft, report it to IdentityTheft.gov. This government resource provides step-by-step guidance on securing your information, recovering from fraud, and protecting yourself from further harm.

If you’ve shared your Social Security number with a scammer, contact the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline. Additional resources related to social security scams are also available in the link below.

The AVAH Outreach Group is an all-volunteer victim outreach group that provides free victim advocacy and certified assistance to any victim of scams. When contacting an AVAH Outreach victim advocate after a scam, you can expect a compassionate, non-judgmental professional who is there to support you, provide guidance, and help you navigate the aftermath of fraud.

The AARP Fraud Victim Support Group provides individuals with a free, confidential discussion group to meet and interact with others who have experienced similar events. The group is also open to family members and friends of victims. Note: You do not need to be a member of AARP to receive help.