I sent money — now what?

Act fast — some payment methods can be reversed if you move quickly. Find your situation below and follow the steps.

This is not your fault. Scammers are skilled at what they do. Focus on taking action now — you're already on the right track.

Gift cards

  1. Contact the gift card company right away — the phone number is on the back of the card. Tell them the card was used in a scam.
  2. Keep the card and receipt as evidence.
  3. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Honest truth: Gift card money is rarely recoverable. But reporting it helps authorities track and stop these scammers.

Wire transfer (Western Union, MoneyGram)

  1. Contact the wire service immediately to try to stop the transfer before it's picked up.
  2. Call them directly:
    Western Union: 1-800-448-1492
    MoneyGram: 1-800-926-9400
  3. File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Bank transfer or Zelle / Venmo / Cash App

  1. Contact your bank immediately — use the phone number on the back of your debit card or on your bank's website.
  2. Ask if they can reverse or stop the transfer. The sooner you call, the better your chances.
  3. File a fraud report with your bank. They'll guide you through their process.

Credit card

  1. Call your credit card company — the number is on the back of your card.
  2. Tell them you want to dispute the charge. Explain it was a scam.

Good news: Credit card payments have the strongest protections. You have a good chance of getting your money back through a dispute.

Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, etc.)

  1. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  2. Report it to the FBI at ic3.gov.
  3. Contact the crypto exchange you used (like Coinbase) to report the fraud.

Honest truth: Cryptocurrency payments are very difficult to recover. But reporting helps authorities build cases against scammers.

Cash or cash pickup

  1. If you haven't sent it yet — don't. No legitimate organization asks for cash.
  2. If you already sent it, report it to your local police and the FTC.

Always report the scam

Even if you can't get your money back, reporting helps protect others and helps law enforcement catch scammers.

You're handling this. Taking action is the most important thing you can do right now. And please don't hesitate to ask a family member or trusted friend for support.