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What to do now

Find the situation closest to what happened, and follow the steps in order.

Good to know

Acting quickly can help. This is not your fault. Scams are built to pressure smart, careful people into acting fast. Reporting and recovery steps work best the sooner you start, but it is never too late to try.

Fast starts

If one of these matches what happened, start there. Otherwise, use the full list below.

Try not to delete the scammer's messages or numbers, or reset an affected device, until you have saved what happened and reported it — those details can help investigators.

If this has left you feeling overwhelmed or in crisis, you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

You sent money by bank transfer or wire

Speed matters. Banks and wire services may be able to stop or recall a transfer if you act fast, but there is no guarantee once money has moved.

Do this now

  • Contact your bank or wire provider immediately and say you believe the transfer was made because of a scam.
  • Ask specifically about a recall or reversal, and get a reference number for your request.
  • Ask the bank to flag your account for additional fraud monitoring.
  • File a report with your local police non-emergency line and ask for a report number (call 911 instead if you are in danger or a pickup is happening now).
  • Report the transfer through official channels once you have contacted your bank.

See where to report this →

You sent money by a payment app (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal)

Report the payment as fraud inside the app right away, then contact your bank or card issuer. Payment apps move money quickly, so recovery is not guaranteed, but reporting quickly gives the best chance.

Do this now

  • Open the app and report the transaction as fraudulent or unauthorized using its built-in reporting tool.
  • Contact your bank or the card linked to the app right away.
  • Save the transaction ID, recipient name or handle, and timestamps before they are harder to find.
  • Report it through official channels in addition to the app.

See where to report this →

You bought gift cards or shared the codes

Contact the gift card company immediately. Some have processes to flag a card before it is fully redeemed, though there is no guarantee the funds can be recovered.

Do this now

  • Call the number on the back of the gift card or visit the retailer's official customer service page.
  • Tell them the card was bought because of a scam and ask them to flag or freeze it.
  • Keep the physical card and your purchase receipt; do not throw them away.
  • File a report with your local police non-emergency line and ask for a report number (call 911 instead if you are in danger or a pickup is happening now).
  • Report it through official channels with the card brand, retailer, and any codes you shared.

See where to report this →

You sent cryptocurrency

Contact the exchange or platform you used right away. Cryptocurrency transactions are designed to be difficult or impossible to reverse, so recovery is rare. Reporting still matters and can help investigators.

Do this now

  • Contact the exchange or wallet provider you used to send the funds.
  • Save the wallet address, transaction ID (hash), and amount sent.
  • File a report with your local police non-emergency line and ask for a report number (call 911 instead if you are in danger or a pickup is happening now).
  • Report it through official channels, including the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
  • Be cautious of anyone who contacts you afterward offering to "recover" crypto for a fee. That is commonly a second scam.

See where to report this →

You shared a verification or one-time code

Act on the affected account first, then check your other important accounts, since the same password is sometimes reused.

Do this now

  • From a trusted device, change the password on the account the code belonged to right away.
  • Turn on extra account security, such as an authenticator app, if the service offers it.
  • Check recent activity or login history on that account for anything unfamiliar.
  • Secure your email and financial accounts too, especially if you reuse passwords.

See where to report this →

You shared your Social Security number or other identity information

IdentityTheft.gov, run by the FTC, builds you a free, personal recovery plan based on what was shared.

Do this now

  • Go to IdentityTheft.gov and follow the personal recovery plan it builds for you.
  • Consider placing a free credit freeze with each of the three credit bureaus.
  • Watch your bank and credit card statements closely for unfamiliar charges or new accounts.
  • Keep a copy of your IdentityTheft.gov report; it can serve as an official identity theft report.

See where to report this →

You installed software or gave someone remote access to your device

Disconnect the device from the scammer first, then clean up from a separate, trusted device.

Do this now

  • Disconnect the device from the internet (turn off Wi-Fi) and power it down.
  • From a different, trusted device, change passwords for your important accounts, especially email and banking.
  • If you shared any bank or card details, contact your bank immediately.
  • Have the affected device checked or reset by someone you trust before using it for sensitive tasks again.

See where to report this →

You shared a banking login or password

Contact your bank immediately. This is one of the few situations where minutes matter most.

Do this now

  • Call your bank using the number on your card or a recent statement, not a number you were given on the call.
  • Ask the bank to lock or freeze online access while you sort this out.
  • Change the password from a trusted device once the bank confirms it is safe to do so.
  • Review recent transactions with the bank and flag anything unfamiliar.
  • File a report with your local police non-emergency line and ask for a report number (call 911 instead if you are in danger or a pickup is happening now).

See where to report this →

A note on recovery

Reporting through official channels is always worthwhile, even when money is not recovered. Reports help investigators spot patterns, can support law enforcement action, and create an official record you may need later, for example with your bank, credit bureaus, or insurer. Recovery is not guaranteed in any of these situations, and that is not a reflection on you.

Be very careful of anyone who contacts you afterward offering to get your money back, especially for an upfront fee. Real agencies do not work that way, and "recovery" offers are very often a second scam. Hang Up First does not endorse any recovery service.

Common questions

Can I get my money back after sending it to a scammer?

Sometimes, depending on how you paid and how fast you report it. There is no guarantee, but contacting your bank or payment provider right away gives you the best chance.

Will Zelle, my bank, or Cash App refund me?

Sometimes, depending on the payment type and your provider's own policies. Contact them immediately and ask specifically about a fraud claim or reversal. A refund is not guaranteed.

How fast do I need to act?

As soon as possible. Contact your bank, payment app, or card issuer right away, then report it through official channels. Speed does not guarantee recovery, but it gives you the best chance.

I feel embarrassed — is that normal?

Yes, and you are not alone. Scams are built to fool careful, intelligent people. Reaching out for help, even after sending money, is the right next step.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-03

Sources

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