How to Help Get Your Money Back from a Scam

Realizing you’ve been scammed is one of the most stressful moments anyone can face. Maybe it started with what looked like a legitimate email, a text from your “bank,” or an online store that disappeared the moment you paid. However it happened, the result is the same, your money is gone, and you’re wondering what to do next.

The good news is that you do have options. Acting quickly can make all the difference in recovering your funds and preventing further damage. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to take after a scam: who to contact, how to report the fraud, what your legal rights are, and how to increase your chances of getting your money back.

Stay calm, follow these steps carefully, and take control of the situation.

What to do when scammed out of money

Time matters when you've been scammed. Every minute counts. Follow these steps right away:

Step 1: Contact your bank or credit card company

Call them immediately. Don't wait until tomorrow. Tell them about the fraudulent charges. Ask them to help you dispute the charge. Banks can stop payments if you call fast enough.

Step 2: Freeze your cards or accounts

If the scammer has your card number, freeze it now. This stops them from taking more money. Your bank can issue a new card quickly. Protecting what's left in your account is just as important as getting back what was stolen.

Step 3: Document everything

Save all proof of the scam. Keep emails from the scammer. Save text messages. Take screenshots of fake websites. Print receipts and bank statements showing fraudulent charges. You'll need this evidence later.

Step 4: Report to the Federal Trade Commission

Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov right away. The FTC tracks scams across America. Your report helps them catch scammers. It also creates an official record of what happened to you.

Step 5: File a police report

Go to your local police station. File a report about the scam. Get a copy of the report number. Banks often ask for this when investigating fraud. Police reports also help if you need legal action later.

Remember: Speed is everything. The sooner you act, the more likely you are to get your money back from a scammer. Don't feel embarrassed. Scammers trick thousands of people every day.

Do banks usually refund scammed money?

Whether a bank refunds stolen money depends on how the payment was made and how quickly the fraud was reported. In many cases, banks can return funds lost to scams, but the process and your level of protection vary by payment method.

Your chances of getting money back depend on three key factors: the type of account or card used, how soon the fraud was reported, and how much evidence supports your claim.

Below, we’ll look at each payment type and what you can realistically expect from your bank during the recovery process.

Credit card fraudulent charges and how to dispute them

Credit cards offer the best protection against scams. Federal law limits your responsibility to $50 for fraudulent charges. Most credit card companies don't even charge that. They usually refund 100% of scam charges.

Here's how to dispute a charge if you got scammed with a credit card:

1. Call your credit card company's fraud department - The number is on the back of your card.
2. Explain the fraudulent charge - Give them all the details about the scam.
3. Request a chargeback - This reverses the charge.
4. Send written documentation - Mail or email proof of the scam before the company’s deadline.

You usually have 60 days from when the charge appeared on your statement. Don't miss this deadline. Mark your calendar and send your dispute letter right away.

Keep copies of everything you send to the credit card company. Write down the names of people you talk to. Note the date and time of each call. This creates a paper trail that protects you.

Disputing fraudulent charges does not hurt your credit score. The credit card company removes the charge during their investigation. If they decide the scam was real, the charge disappears completely. Your credit stays safe.

Debit card fraud and dispute timelines

Debit cards have less protection than credit cards. The rules are stricter. The deadline windows are shorter. But you can still get your money back if you act fast.

Here's what you need to know about debit card fraud:

Report within 2 days: If you report unauthorized charges within two business days, you only lose up to $50. This is your best protection window.

Report within 60 days: If you wait between 2 and 60 days, you could lose up to $500. Your liability goes up the longer you wait.

Report after 60 days: Wait longer than 60 days and you might lose everything the scammer stole. This is why checking your bank statements weekly is so important.

Call your bank the moment you spot fraudulent charges. Don't wait to "see what happens." Every day that passes decreases your protection.

What about debit-credit hybrid cards? These cards work as both debit and credit. Here's the tricky part: if you used your PIN, it counts as a debit transaction. That means you get debit card protections (the stricter ones). If you signed instead of using a PIN, it might count as credit. Ask your bank which rules apply to your case.

Debit cards require faster action than credit cards. Set up bank alerts on your phone. Check your account daily. Report problems within hours, not days.

Gift card scams and recovery steps

Gift cards are a favorite tool for scammers because they act like cash, quick to use and nearly impossible to trace once redeemed. When someone tricks you into paying with a gift card, they can spend the balance instantly, sell the codes online, or use the cards to buy and resell items for profit.

That’s why you’ll often hear a common red flag in scams: “Pay with a gift card.” It’s fast, it’s anonymous, and it makes recovering your money more difficult. But difficult doesn’t mean impossible.

• Contact the retailer immediately - Call Amazon, Walmart, Target, or whoever issued the card.
• Report the fraud - Give them the card numbers and receipt.
• Ask them to freeze the balance - If the scammer hasn't used it yet, they might stop the transaction.
• File a police report - Retailers are more likely to help when you have official documentation.
• Report to the FTC - This creates a record even if you can't recover the money.

Act as quickly as possible because time matters with gift card scams. If you contact the retailer right away, there is a chance the balance has not been used and can still be frozen or canceled before the scammer cashes it out.

Even if the money cannot be recovered, always report the incident. Your report helps retailers and law enforcement identify scam patterns, stop ongoing schemes, and protect others from losing money in the same way. Every report makes a difference.

Bank transfers, ACH, and wire fraud

Wire transfers are the worst for scam victims. Once the money leaves your account through a wire, it's almost impossible to get back. The funds leave the banking system immediately. They land in accounts that scammers empty right away.

ACH transfers (the kind you use to pay bills online) are slightly better. Banks sometimes catch these within a day or two. But the window is very small.

What to do if you're scammed through a wire transfer:

1. Call your bank within 30 minutes if possible - Ask them to recall the wire immediately.
2. File a fraud claim - Even if they can't stop the wire, start the investigation process.
3. Get the receiving bank information - Your bank needs to contact the receiving bank to try a recall.
4. Report to law enforcement - File reports with local police and the FBI's IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center).

International wire transfers are even harder to recover. Money goes overseas where U.S. laws don't apply. The receiving banks often don't cooperate. Scammers use countries with weak banking regulations on purpose.

Wire fraud recovery rates are very low. You might get back 10% of your money if you're lucky. Many people get nothing back at all.

Does this mean you shouldn't try? No! Always report it. Sometimes banks do recover wire funds. Sometimes police catch scammers with money still in accounts. It's rare, but it happens. Plus, your report helps the FBI track international crime rings.

Even if recovery is unlikely, reporting to the FTC and IC3 helps build cases against scammers. Your information might be the piece that helps catch them.

Payment app scams

Payment apps make sending money easy. Too easy, according to scam victims. These apps were built for paying people you know and trust. Scammers take advantage of that.

Common payment app scams include:

• Fake invoices that look official
• Scammers pretending to be friends or family members
• "Accidental" payments that ask you to send money back
• Fake buyer or seller scams on marketplace sites
• Romance scams where criminals ask for help with "emergencies"

How can I get money back from a scammer on payment apps? The answer depends on which app you used. In general, recovery of your stolen money is difficult when using a payment app, since many of them treat money like handing someone cash. Certain apps may investigate and refund you, but it depends on the type of payment you selected. Because of these issues, be very selective in which app you use and read their terms and conditions carefully.

What to do when scammed out of money through payment apps:

1. Report the transaction within the app immediately.
2. Contact the app's customer service and explain the scam.
3. File a formal dispute or complaint through the app.
4. Contact your linked bank account or credit card company.
5. Try to dispute the charge that funded the payment app account.
6. File reports with the FTC and local police.

Here's a tip many people don't know: even if the payment app won't refund you, your bank might. If you funded your payment app account with a credit card, dispute that charge with your credit card company. Explain it was used for a fraudulent payment. This doesn't always work, but it's worth trying.

The key lesson: never send money through payment apps to strangers. Only use these apps for people you know in real life. If someone you don't know asks for payment through a payment app, that's a red flag.

Legal steps to take if you’ve been scammed

If your bank or payment app refuses to refund stolen money, you still have options. Legal action can help you recover losses and hold scammers or negligent companies accountable.

1. File a Consumer Protection Claim

Consumer protection laws exist to defend victims of fraud. If you have strong proof of deception or lost a significant amount of money, an attorney can help you file a lawsuit against the scammer or a company that failed to safeguard your funds. Acting quickly and keeping detailed records strengthens your case.

2. Join a Class Action Lawsuit

When a scam targets many people, victims may join a class action lawsuit. These cases often involve large-scale fraud, data breaches, or deceptive business practices. Check resources such as ClassAction.org to see if a case already exists for your situation.

3. Consider Small Claims Court

For losses under about $5,000, small claims court offers a fast, low-cost path to justice. You can often represent yourself with minimal filing fees. It works best when you can identify the scammer, provide proof of fraud, and the person or business is located in your state.

Even when banks or apps say no, small claims court gives you one last opportunity to fight for reimbursement.

Take action to protect your money after a scam

Being scammed feels terrible. You feel embarrassed, angry, and worried about your money. These feelings are normal. Remember: scams happen to smart people every single day. This isn't your fault.

Don't wait another day. Start your recovery process right now.

If you feel overwhelmed by the legal aspects of scam recovery, you don't have to face this alone. The aftermath of fraud involves complex disputes, consumer protection laws, and financial institutions that don't always make the process easy.

How LegalShield can help

LegalShield provides access to experienced attorneys who understand consumer protection. They can:

• Review your documentation and explain your options
• Help you understand if you have grounds for legal action
• Guide you through dispute processes
• Provide advice on dealing with banks and companies
• Assist with documentation and legal paperwork

You don't have to navigate this alone. Legal support can mean the difference between giving up and getting your money back.

Visit LegalShield today to learn how we can help you with the legal cleanup following fraud and scams →

Take the first step toward recovery. Your future self will thank you.

Written by Elyse Dillard, Content Specialist at LegalShield. Elyse creates educational resources about legal and identity theft protection services. She works to make complex legal concepts more accessible to readers and has contributed to numerous articles on the LegalShield blog.

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