I got scammed. What do I do?

Take a breath. You are not alone, and acting fast helps. Follow the steps below, one at a time.

Do these 4 things right now

Stop. Don’t send any more money, and stop replying to the scammer. Hang up, close the chat, and don’t call back.
Call the company you paid with. Your bank, card company, gift card company, wire service or payment app. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment. See the list below.
Protect your accounts. If you shared a password, change it. If you shared bank details, ask your bank to watch or close the account.
Report it and get free help. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 if you are 60 or older, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How to try to get your money back

It depends on how you paid. Find yours below. Always use a phone number you trust, like the one on the back of your card, never one the scammer gave you.

If you paid with a credit or debit card
Call the number on the back of your card. Say it was a fraudulent charge and ask them to reverse it.
If you paid with a gift card
Call the company that made the gift card, using the number on the back of the card. Say a scammer tricked you into sharing the card number and PIN, and ask for a refund. Keep the card and the store receipt.
If you paid with a wire transfer (Western Union, MoneyGram, or your bank)
Call the company or your bank right away. Say it was a fraudulent transfer and ask them to reverse it. It may not work, but it is always worth asking.
If you paid with a payment app (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal)
Report it in the app and ask for the payment to be reversed. If the app is linked to your bank or card, call them too.
If you paid with cash or a money order in the mail
Call the delivery company (such as the Postal Service, UPS or FedEx) and ask if they can stop it. For a money order, ask about stopping payment.
If you paid with cryptocurrency or a Bitcoin machine
Contact the company you used to send it and report it. Crypto is very hard to get back, so report it to the FBI at ic3.gov right away.

Free help and where to report

National Elder Fraud Hotline (U.S. Department of Justice)
1-833-372-8311 (833-FRAUD-11)
Free. For people 60 and older. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. A caseworker helps you report the scam and find next steps. English, Spanish and other languages.
AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline
1-877-908-3360
Free for everyone, not just AARP members. Trained volunteers listen and help you figure out what to do.
Report it to the FTC
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Tell the Federal Trade Commission what happened. Your report helps stop scammers.
Report it to the FBI
ic3.gov
Report online scams, especially ones with large losses or cryptocurrency.
If they took your personal information
IdentityTheft.gov
If you gave your Social Security number, Medicare number or bank details, get a free step-by-step recovery plan.

Watch out for a second scam

After a scam, people often get calls or messages offering to “recover your money” for a fee. Some even pretend to be from the FTC or the police. That is a scam too. Real agencies never ask you to pay to get your money back.

Not sure if it was a scam?

Scam Text and Email Checker: paste the message and see the warning signs.
Link Checker: see the real website name behind a link.
Scam or Real? quiz: practice spotting the next one.

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Questions people ask

I got scammed. What do I do first?

Stop sending money and stop talking to the scammer. Then call the company you used to pay (your bank, card company, gift card company, wire service or payment app) and ask them to reverse the payment. The faster you call, the better your chances.

Can I get my money back if I got scammed?

Sometimes. Card payments are the easiest to dispute. Gift cards, wire transfers and payment apps are harder, but companies can sometimes freeze or refund the money if you call quickly. It is always worth asking.

Is there an elder fraud hotline?

Yes. The National Elder Fraud Hotline from the U.S. Department of Justice is free for people 60 and older: 1-833-372-8311 (833-FRAUD-11), Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 1-877-908-3360, is also free and open to anyone.

Someone says they can recover my lost money for a fee. Is that real?

No. That is a second scam, called a recovery scam. The FTC warns that anyone who promises to get your money back if you pay first is a scammer. Real government agencies never charge you to get your money back.

I let a scammer into my computer. What should I do?

Turn off the internet on the computer, then run your security software or take it to a trusted repair shop. Change your passwords from a different device, starting with email and banking, and call your bank.

Should I feel embarrassed?

No. Scammers are professionals, and they fool people of every age, including doctors, lawyers and bankers. Reporting it quickly is the smart move, and it helps protect others.

Sources

Last updated: October 16, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice.