- If you realized you’ve paid a scammer with your credit or debit card, contact your bank or credit card company. Report the scam and ask for a “”chargeback”” to get your money back.
- If you paid a scammer with a gift card, prepaid cash, or cash reload card, contact the company that issued the card and tell them what happened. They might be able to refund your money.
- If you paid a scammer with a wire transfer, contact the transfer company:
MoneyGram at 1-800-MONEYGRAM (1-800-666-3947)
Western Union at 1-800-325-6000 - If you paid a scammer with a money app on your mobile phone, call the company who runs the app. If your app account is linked to your bank card, call your bank first.
- If you gave a scammer access to your computer, update your security software, then run a scan and delete anything it identifies as a problem.
- If you gave your login information to a scammer, change it immediately. Also change it wherever you use that same login information.
- If you gave a scammer your social security number (SSN), you can monitor your credit report at https://identitytheft.gov
- If someone calls and offers to help you recover lost money, don’t give them any information. They are most likely a scam caller as well.
States have legal and financial assistance for victims of fraud. Find out how to contact your State Attorney General’s Office here: https://www.usa.gov/state-attorney-general