What to Do Within 72 Hours After Being Scammed
If you sent money to a scammer within the last 72 hours, your chances of getting it back are better. Act quickly.
Before doing anything else, stop all contact with the scammer. Save any messages, emails, and receipts. You might need them as proof.
Step 1: Report any fraudulent charge or transaction
To have the best chance of getting your money back, report the scam right away. Who you contact will depend on your payment method.
Call the company or bank that gave you the credit card. Say it was a “fraudulent charge” and ask them to reverse the transaction and refund your money.
Tip: You need to do this within 60 days of the day you get your credit card bill, if you want to dispute the charge on your credit report.
Call the bank that gave you the debit card. Tell them it was a “fraudulent charge” and ask for the transaction to be reversed and your money returned.
Report the fraudulent payment to the app company and ask them to reverse it.
If you linked the app to a credit card or debit card, report the fraud to your credit card company or bank too. Ask them to reverse the charge.
Unfortunately, most of the time, you cannot get crypto payments back.
Still, contact the company you used to send the crypto. Tell them it was a “fraudulent transaction” and ask if they can reverse it.
Call the company that issued the gift card. Tell them it was used in a scam and ask for a refund. Keep the card and the receipt if you still have them.
Call your bank and say it was an “unauthorized debit or withdrawal.” Ask them to reverse the transaction and return your money.
Call the wire transfer company. Tell them it was a “fraudulent transfer” and ask them to reverse it and return your money.
What if I don’t know how to contact my bank?
You can find your bank’s phone number on the back of your card, in your bank’s app, or on their official website.
Before calling:
- Write down what happened before you call, so you don’t forget any details if you feel stressed.
- Have your account number ready. It will be on your card, in the app, or in any statements you have.
- Try to find a quiet place to make the call.
What to expect:
- You will probably hear an automated menu first. Listen for options such as "fraud," "dispute a charge," or "unauthorized transaction."
- You might have to wait on hold. That’s normal, so just stay on the line.
- The agent will first check your identity by asking security questions, your address, or the last four digits of your Social Security numberN. This is standard.
- Be honest and direct. You don't need to explain everything perfectly.
Step 2: Report the scam to law enforcement
Some scams are crimes, some scams violate civil laws that protect consumers, and some scams do both. If you're not sure who to report to, it is better to report the scam to the wrong agency than not to report it.
Report to the FBI
You can make a report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which is the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s hub for reporting internet crimes. If your scammer used the internet to scam you, you can report to IC3.
You can file a complaint at the IC3 website.
Make a police report to your local police
Visit your local police station and ask to file a report. Some officers may not have much experience with scam cases, but that’s okay. Having a report can help if you need to dispute charges.
For more useful tips on reporting to law enforcement, see this article from AARP: 5 Tips for Reporting Scams to the Police.
Report to a consumer protection agency
You can also report scams to the Oregon Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission. These civil law enforcement agencies use consumer reports to find scammers, shut down their scams, and (when possible) return stolen money to victims.
Make sure there is a written record of any time you make a report, whether it is to a financial institution or law enforcement. If you only speak with someone on the phone, try to follow up with a letter.
Evidence of these calls and letters may help you in the future.
Step 3: Protect yourself from more harm
After you take these urgent steps, you can help protect yourself and others from future scams.
Read our next article to learn the other steps you can take after a scam to:
- Save your evidence.
- Alert others about the scam.
- Protect your credit.
- Care for yourself emotionally.