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Scams, Fraud and Unauthorized Transactions

Scams, Fraud and Unauthorized Transactions

A suspicious payment can result from several different problems. Someone may have stolen your card information, taken control of an account, tricked you into sending money, impersonated a bank or opened an account using your identity.

This guide helps you identify what happened, contact the correct company, preserve evidence, protect your accounts and report the scam. Acting quickly matters, but you should also describe the transaction accurately because an unauthorized payment, a payment you were tricked into sending and a dispute with a legitimate merchant may follow different procedures.

On This Page

Quick Answer

Stop communicating with the suspected scammer and contact the company used to send or receive the money immediately.

Call the bank, card issuer, payment app, wire-transfer company, cryptocurrency platform or gift-card issuer using contact information from its official website, application, statement or the back of your card.

Ask the company to:

  • Stop or reverse the transaction when possible
  • Block additional payments
  • Secure or close the compromised account
  • Replace the affected card
  • Open a fraud or error investigation
  • Give you a case or confirmation number
  • Explain what documents are required

Then:

  • Change compromised passwords
  • Review related financial accounts
  • Preserve messages, receipts and transaction records
  • Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • Use IdentityTheft.gov when personal information was misused
  • Consider an FBI IC3 report for cyber-enabled crime

Do not send additional money to unlock, insure, trace, recover or release money already lost. Requests for another payment are often part of the original scam or a separate recovery scam.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Scam?

Stop communicating with the sender

Do not argue, negotiate or follow additional instructions. Block further contact after preserving the evidence.

Contact the payment company

Use an official telephone number or secure application. Ask whether the payment can be stopped, recalled, reversed or frozen.

Secure the affected account

Change passwords, revoke unfamiliar devices and replace a compromised card when advised.

Review recent activity

Look for small test transactions, unfamiliar transfers, new payees, changed contact information and additional withdrawals.

Preserve evidence

Save the transaction record, conversation, telephone number, email address, website, username and payment instructions.

Report identity theft when applicable

Use IdentityTheft.gov when someone used your information to open accounts, make purchases or impersonate you.

Submit appropriate reports

Report scams to the FTC and cyber-enabled crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center when relevant.

Do not wait to collect perfect evidence before contacting the bank or payment provider. Begin the recovery request immediately and supply additional documents afterward.

Scam, Fraud or Unauthorized Transaction?

These terms are often used together, but they do not always describe the same situation.

Situation What may have happened First action
You do not recognize a card charge Card information may have been stolen or the merchant name may be unfamiliar Contact the card issuer and identify the transaction
Money left your bank account without your approval An unauthorized electronic transfer or account takeover may have occurred Notify the bank immediately
You personally sent money after being deceived You may have authorized the payment but were tricked about its purpose or recipient Report the scam to the payment provider and request recovery
A scammer obtained your login details and initiated a transfer The transfer may qualify as unauthorized account activity Secure the account and report the transfer as unauthorized
A legitimate merchant charged the wrong amount This may be a billing or merchant dispute rather than identity theft Contact the merchant and payment provider
A company promised something and did not deliver This may be a merchant dispute, deceptive practice or scam Preserve the offer and request a refund or dispute

Who initiated the transaction matters. A payment sent directly by a scammer using stolen account access may be handled differently from a payment you personally approved after believing a false story.

Regardless of classification, report the incident promptly and explain exactly:

  • Who initiated the payment
  • What information you supplied
  • Whether you pressed the send or confirm button
  • Whether the scammer remotely controlled your device
  • Whether the transaction was pending or completed
  • What the scammer claimed

Is It a Scam or a Merchant Dispute?

A disappointing purchase is not automatically a scam.

It may be a merchant dispute when:

  • You recognize the business
  • You intentionally made the purchase
  • The amount is wrong
  • The item was not delivered
  • The service was unsatisfactory
  • A cancellation was not processed
  • A promised refund did not arrive
  • A subscription renewed unexpectedly

It may be fraud or a scam when:

  • You never authorized the transaction
  • The seller used a false identity
  • The product or business never existed
  • The contact impersonated a bank or government agency
  • You were told to conceal the payment
  • The person demanded gift cards or cryptocurrency
  • The payment was supposedly needed to protect your money
  • The recipient disappeared immediately after payment

Describe the facts rather than choosing the most dramatic label. The bank or card issuer needs to know whether the transaction was unauthorized, duplicated, incorrect, undelivered or personally sent after deception.

Common Scam Warning Signs

Scam stories change, but the pressure tactics are often similar.

Watch for someone who:

  • Contacts you unexpectedly
  • Claims to represent your bank, card issuer or a government agency
  • Says your money or identity is in immediate danger
  • Threatens arrest, deportation, disconnection or account closure
  • Tells you not to contact your bank
  • Insists that you remain on the telephone
  • Tells you not to discuss the matter with family
  • Creates an artificial deadline
  • Promises guaranteed returns or risk-free investments
  • Claims you won a prize but must pay first
  • Asks for remote access to your device
  • Requests your password or one-time verification code
  • Directs you to buy gift cards
  • Demands payment by wire, cryptocurrency or payment app
  • Tells you to lie to a bank employee or store cashier
  • Claims you must pay more money to recover an earlier loss

Slow down when someone creates urgency. Contact the person, company or agency using a number you independently know is genuine.

The “Safe Account” Scam

A caller may claim to be from:

  • Your bank
  • A credit-card company
  • The Federal Reserve
  • The Federal Trade Commission
  • Law enforcement
  • A technology company
  • A cryptocurrency exchange

The scammer says your account is compromised and instructs you to move money to a “safe,” “protected,” “secure” or “government” account.

The destination actually belongs to the scammer or a money mule.

No legitimate bank or government agency will tell you to transfer your money to a special account to protect it.

Hang up and call your financial institution using:

  • The number printed on the back of your card
  • The number on a recent statement
  • The official banking application
  • The institution’s official website

Do not use:

  • The caller’s telephone number
  • A link sent by text
  • A telephone number in the suspicious message
  • A search advertisement without confirming the domain

Never Share Passwords or Verification Codes

A scammer may already know your:

  • Name
  • Telephone number
  • Email address
  • Bank name
  • Last four card digits
  • Recent purchase information

This does not prove the caller is legitimate.

Do not share:

  • Online banking passwords
  • Card PINs
  • Card security codes
  • One-time verification codes
  • Password reset links
  • Answers to security questions
  • Cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases
  • Remote-access approval codes

A verification code may say, “Do not share this code.” Believe that warning. A bank representative should not need you to read back a code intended to authorize a login, password reset or transfer.

Recovery Steps by Payment Method

How money was sent Who to contact first What to request
Credit card Card issuer Report fraud or dispute the charge and replace the card when necessary
Debit card Bank or credit union Report the unauthorized debit and secure the linked account
Bank transfer Bank fraud department Recall, reversal, beneficiary-bank notification or account freeze
Payment app App provider and linked bank or card issuer Report the recipient and request reversal or investigation
Wire service Wire-transfer company Stop or reverse the transfer before collection when possible
Gift card Gift-card issuer Freeze the remaining value and request reimbursement
Cryptocurrency Exchange or platform used Flag the destination and request intervention when possible
Cash shipment Postal or delivery service Attempt to intercept the package
Check Your bank Stop payment when possible and secure the account details

Recovery is never guaranteed, but reporting immediately is still worthwhile. A pending transaction, unused gift-card balance, uncollected wire or frozen recipient account may sometimes be stopped.

Unauthorized Credit Card Charges

An unauthorized credit-card charge may involve:

  • A stolen physical card
  • Stolen card numbers
  • An online account takeover
  • A fraudulent mobile-wallet transaction
  • A card opened through identity theft

Contact the issuer immediately and ask it to:

  • Lock or close the card
  • Issue a replacement number
  • Open an unauthorized-use investigation
  • Block recurring fraudulent transactions
  • Review other recent activity
  • Explain whether written documentation is required

Save:

  • The transaction date and amount
  • The merchant description
  • The date you noticed it
  • The date and time reported
  • The fraud case number
  • Copies of any written notice

A merchant name on the statement may differ from the business name you recognize. Ask the issuer for additional merchant details before deciding that a familiar transaction is unauthorized.

Debit Card and Bank Account Fraud

Bank-account fraud can affect money needed for:

  • Housing
  • Utilities
  • Food
  • Loan payments
  • Medical expenses
  • Other automatic payments

Contact the bank immediately when you notice:

  • An unfamiliar debit-card purchase
  • An ATM withdrawal you did not make
  • An unauthorized electronic transfer
  • A new payee you did not add
  • A recurring debit you did not approve
  • Money missing after an account takeover

Ask the bank:

  • Is the transfer pending or completed?
  • Can it be stopped or recalled?
  • Was it initiated through a card, app, ACH transfer or wire?
  • Does the account need to be closed and replaced?
  • Will temporary credit be considered?
  • What is the investigation deadline?
  • What written statement is required?

Report debit and bank-account fraud immediately. Consumer protections can depend on the type of transaction and how quickly the problem is reported.

Payment-App Scams

Payment apps are designed for fast transfers, and completed payments can be difficult to reverse.

Common payment-app scams include:

  • Bank or business impersonation
  • Fake marketplace sellers
  • Fake ticket sales
  • Rental deposit scams
  • Romance scams
  • Emergency family scams
  • Accidental payment scams
  • Fake customer-support accounts
  • Account takeovers

When a payment-app scam occurs:

Report the payment inside the app

Use the official support or dispute option connected with the transaction.

Contact the app provider

Ask it to flag the recipient, stop the payment or freeze the receiving account when possible.

Contact the funding source

Notify the bank or card issuer connected with the app.

Secure the app account

Change the password, enable multi-factor authentication and remove unfamiliar devices.

Preserve the recipient details

Save the username, telephone number, email address, payment note and transaction identifier.

Sending money through an app is not the same as paying a credit-card merchant. Buyer protection and reversal rights vary by platform, funding source and transaction type.

Wire Transfer Scams

Wire transfers can move money quickly and are often difficult to recover after the recipient receives the funds.

If you used a wire-transfer company:

  • Contact the company immediately
  • Report the transfer as fraudulent
  • Ask whether collection can be stopped
  • Provide the transfer or reference number
  • Request written confirmation of the report

If you sent a bank wire:

  • Contact the bank’s fraud department
  • Request an immediate wire recall
  • Ask the bank to notify the receiving institution
  • Provide the destination account details
  • Ask whether the receiving account can be frozen

Do not wait for the scammer to miss another promise. Contact the wire provider as soon as you suspect deception.

Gift Card Scams

No legitimate business or government agency will require payment through gift-card numbers and PINs.

Scammers may claim the cards are needed for:

  • Taxes
  • Fines
  • Utility bills
  • Technical support
  • Prize fees
  • Emergency family expenses
  • Account protection
  • Workplace purchases ordered by a boss

If you gave a scammer gift-card information:

  • Keep the physical card
  • Keep the store receipt
  • Contact the gift-card issuer immediately
  • Ask the issuer to freeze remaining funds
  • Ask whether reimbursement is available
  • Report the incident to the store
  • Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. A person asking for the card number and PIN is trying to take the stored value.

Cryptocurrency Scams

Cryptocurrency scams may involve:

  • Fake investment platforms
  • Romance or relationship scams
  • Government impersonation
  • Fake account-protection instructions
  • Fraudulent recovery services
  • Fake giveaways
  • Malicious wallet links
  • Requests to use a cryptocurrency ATM

If you sent cryptocurrency:

  • Contact the exchange or platform immediately
  • Report the destination wallet address
  • Save the transaction hash
  • Save the wallet addresses involved
  • Secure the wallet and exchange accounts
  • Revoke suspicious application permissions
  • Report the fraud to the FTC and FBI IC3

Cryptocurrency transactions are generally difficult to reverse. Anyone promising guaranteed recovery for an advance fee may be running another scam.

Cash and Check Scams

Cash sent through the mail

Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or delivery company immediately and ask whether the package can be intercepted.

Fake check scams

A bank may make deposited funds available before discovering that the check is fraudulent.

Be suspicious when someone:

  • Sends a check for more than the agreed amount
  • Asks you to return part of the money
  • Tells you to buy gift cards
  • Asks you to pay a third party
  • Claims the excess was an accidental overpayment

Available funds do not prove that a deposited check is genuine. You may be responsible when a fake check is later returned.

Contact the bank immediately if you deposited a suspected fake check and explain where it came from and whether any money was sent elsewhere.

What if You Shared Personal Information?

The appropriate response depends on what was shared.

Information shared Immediate action
Password Change it immediately and change matching passwords on other accounts
One-time verification code Contact the affected company and review login activity
Credit or debit card details Contact the issuer and request replacement when advised
Bank account information Notify the bank and monitor for unauthorized debits
Social Security number Use IdentityTheft.gov and consider freezing your credit reports
Driver’s license or passport Report misuse and contact the issuing authority when appropriate
Cryptocurrency seed phrase Move legitimate assets to a newly secured wallet immediately

Also check whether the scammer changed:

  • Your account email address
  • Your telephone number
  • Your mailing address
  • Your security questions
  • Your trusted devices
  • Your transfer limits
  • Your beneficiaries or payees

What if a Scammer Accessed Your Computer or Phone?

A scammer may persuade you to install remote-access software while claiming to provide technical, banking or refund assistance.

Take these steps:

Disconnect the device

Disconnect it from the internet when remote access may still be active.

End the remote session

Remove unfamiliar remote-access tools and revoke their permissions.

Use a clean device

Change important financial and email passwords from a device you believe is secure.

Run security scans

Update security software and check for malicious applications.

Contact financial institutions

Report that a scammer may have viewed or controlled your accounts.

Review all account activity

Check transactions, profile changes, new payees and login history.

Do not log back into banking accounts on a device that may still be controlled or monitored.

What if a Scammer Took Over Your Phone Number?

A SIM-swap or telephone-account takeover can allow a scammer to receive calls and texted verification codes.

Warning signs include:

  • Your phone suddenly loses service
  • You receive a notice that your SIM changed
  • Your mobile-carrier password stops working
  • You receive unexpected password-reset notices
  • Financial accounts show unfamiliar logins

Contact the mobile carrier immediately and:

  • Recover control of the telephone number
  • Change the carrier account password
  • Add an account PIN
  • Ask what changes were made
  • Remove unauthorized devices

Then secure:

  • Email accounts
  • Bank accounts
  • Payment apps
  • Credit-card accounts
  • Cryptocurrency accounts
  • Social-media accounts

Identity Theft and Fraudulent Accounts

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information to commit fraud.

Possible signs include:

  • A credit account you never opened
  • A loan application you never made
  • A collection account that is not yours
  • An unfamiliar address on your credit report
  • Tax or government-benefit activity in your name
  • Medical bills for services you did not receive
  • A telephone or utility account you never opened

Start at:

IdentityTheft.gov

The service can help you:

  • Create an FTC Identity Theft Report
  • Receive a personalized recovery plan
  • Generate letters and forms
  • Track recovery steps
  • Address fraudulent credit-report information

Report only genuine identity theft. Do not claim that a legitimate debt or account resulted from identity theft merely to have it removed.

Check and Protect Your Credit Reports

After identity theft or the exposure of sensitive personal information:

  • Review reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
  • Look for unfamiliar accounts and inquiries
  • Check names and addresses connected with your file
  • Dispute or block fraudulent information
  • Consider freezing all three credit reports
  • Consider placing a fraud alert

Use:

A credit freeze can make it more difficult to open new accounts using your identity, but it does not stop fraudulent use of an existing bank or card account.

Evidence to Preserve After a Scam

Save as much of the following as possible:

  • Transaction receipts
  • Bank or card statements
  • Payment confirmation numbers
  • Wire-transfer records
  • Gift cards and store receipts
  • Cryptocurrency transaction hashes
  • Wallet addresses
  • Emails
  • Text messages
  • Social-media conversations
  • Website addresses
  • Telephone numbers
  • Usernames and account names
  • Voicemails
  • Advertisements
  • Contracts and invoices
  • Shipping information
  • Remote-access application names
  • Bank fraud case numbers
  • Reports submitted to government agencies

Take screenshots that include the date, account name and full message. Do not rely only on links that the scammer can later delete.

Create a timeline showing:

  • When contact began
  • What the person claimed
  • What information was shared
  • When each payment was made
  • When you discovered the scam
  • Which companies you contacted
  • What each company said

Where Should You Report a Scam?

Payment company or financial institution

This is the first recovery contact when money was sent or an account was compromised.

Federal Trade Commission

Report scams, fraud and deceptive business practices at:

ReportFraud.ftc.gov

IdentityTheft.gov

Use this service when someone used your personal information to open accounts, make purchases or commit another form of identity theft.

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

Report cyber-enabled scams and internet crime at:

IC3.gov

Local police

A police report may be useful or required when:

  • There is an immediate threat
  • The suspect is local
  • Property or identification was stolen
  • A financial institution requests a report
  • You need additional identity-theft documentation

State attorney general or consumer agency

A state agency may accept reports involving deceptive businesses, local scams or unlicensed activity.

USA.gov reporting tool

Use the government reporting directory when you are uncertain which agency handles a particular scam.

Reporting a Scam vs Recovering Your Money

These are separate activities.

Recovery request Government or law-enforcement report
Submitted to the payment provider Submitted to the FTC, IC3, police or another agency
Requests a stop, reversal or investigation Provides information about the scam
May directly affect the transaction May help identify patterns or support enforcement
Should be started immediately Should follow without delaying the payment report
May require transaction documents May request scammer and communication details

An FTC or IC3 report does not replace contacting the bank, card issuer or payment provider.

Government agencies may use reports to:

  • Identify patterns
  • Connect related complaints
  • Investigate large operations
  • Share information with law enforcement
  • Warn other consumers

They generally do not personally negotiate a refund for every individual report.

When Should You File a Financial Complaint?

A regulatory complaint may be appropriate when a bank, card issuer, payment provider or other financial company:

  • Does not open an investigation
  • Misclassifies the transaction without reviewing the facts
  • Ignores submitted evidence
  • Misses an applicable response period
  • Provides inconsistent explanations
  • Closes the case without addressing the disputed transaction

Before filing, gather:

  • The financial company’s case number
  • The disputed transaction details
  • Your original report
  • Supporting evidence
  • The company’s response
  • The exact correction or resolution requested

For eligible financial-product complaints, use the:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaint system

A CFPB complaint concerns the financial company’s handling of the problem. It is different from an FTC report about the scammer.

When Should You Contact Police?

Call emergency services when:

  • You or another person is in immediate danger
  • The scammer threatens physical harm
  • Someone is coming to your home to collect money or valuables
  • A person is being held or coerced

A non-emergency police report may also help document:

  • Identity theft
  • Stolen cards or identification
  • Local theft
  • Financial exploitation
  • Threats or extortion

Do not meet the scammer, a courier or a supposed government agent to hand over cash, gold, gift cards or cryptocurrency devices.

Watch for Scam Recovery Services

Scam victims are frequently targeted again.

A recovery scammer may claim to be:

  • A law firm
  • A government investigator
  • A cryptocurrency recovery specialist
  • A private investigator
  • A bank employee
  • An IC3 or FTC representative

The person may already know:

  • How much money you lost
  • Which company was involved
  • When the loss occurred
  • Your telephone number or email address

They then demand:

  • An investigation fee
  • A tax payment
  • A court filing fee
  • A wallet activation payment
  • A percentage of the promised recovery in advance

The FBI’s IC3 does not partner with private law firms or cryptocurrency services to recover lost funds and will not contact you demanding money.

Do not pay anyone who guarantees recovery or claims that money is waiting after one final fee.

Common Financial Scams

Bank impersonation scams

A fake bank employee claims that suspicious activity requires an urgent transfer or disclosure of a verification code.

Government impersonation scams

A caller threatens arrest, fines or benefit loss unless immediate payment is made.

Fake refund scams

A scammer claims to owe you a refund, then asks for remote access, account credentials or repayment of an accidental over-refund.

Online shopping scams

A seller advertises merchandise that does not exist or sends a fake payment or shipping confirmation.

Subscription scams

A deceptive service uses misleading trial terms, difficult cancellation or unauthorized recurring charges.

Credit repair scams

A company promises guaranteed deletion of accurate negative information, demands advance payment or promotes a false new credit identity.

Debt collector scams

A caller demands payment for an unfamiliar debt and threatens arrest or immediate legal action.

Romance scams

An online relationship develops into requests for emergency, travel, investment or medical payments.

Investment scams

A promoter guarantees large returns, displays fake account profits and requires more money before withdrawals are allowed.

Job and fake check scams

A fake employer sends a check and instructs the applicant to buy equipment, gift cards or send part of the money elsewhere.

Family emergency scams

A caller or message impersonates a relative, lawyer or police officer and requests secrecy and urgent payment.

Prize and sweepstakes scams

A supposed winner must first pay taxes, processing fees or customs charges.

How to Protect Your Financial Accounts

  • Use unique passwords for financial and email accounts.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an authentication application when available.
  • Turn on transaction and login alerts.
  • Review account activity regularly.
  • Lock unused cards when the issuer offers the feature.
  • Keep contact information current with financial institutions.
  • Do not provide codes to incoming callers.
  • Verify payment requests through a separate communication method.
  • Freeze credit reports when appropriate.
  • Keep operating systems and security software updated.
  • Avoid financial transactions on public Wi-Fi.
  • Do not allow unexpected remote access.
  • Limit publicly available personal information.

Protect your email account carefully. Access to email may let a scammer reset passwords for banking, shopping, payment and social-media accounts.

Helping a Family Member or Friend

Someone experiencing a scam may be frightened, embarrassed or still convinced that the scammer is legitimate.

Helpful steps include:

  • Remain calm and avoid blame
  • Ask the person to pause all payments
  • Help verify the story independently
  • Contact the financial institution together
  • Preserve messages and receipts
  • Review other accounts for activity
  • Help change passwords
  • Report identity theft when applicable

The goal is to stop additional loss first. Discussion about how the scam happened can come after the accounts are secured.

When an older person or vulnerable adult is being exploited, consider contacting:

  • The financial institution’s fraud department
  • Local law enforcement
  • Adult Protective Services
  • A trusted family member or legal representative

Scam Guides and Recovery Steps

This hub will connect to detailed Charge Decoded guides as they are published.

  • What to Do After Sending Money to a Scammer
  • Unauthorized Credit Card Charge: What to Do
  • Unauthorized Debit Card Transaction: How to Get Your Money Back
  • Bank Impersonation Scam: Never Move Money to a Safe Account
  • Payment-App Scam: Can You Get Your Money Back?
  • Fake Refund Scam: How It Works
  • Gift Card Scam: What to Do After You Paid
  • Wire Transfer Scam: Can the Money Be Recalled?
  • Cryptocurrency Scam: What to Do After Sending Payment
  • Credit Repair Scams: Warning Signs and Illegal Promises
  • Debt Collector Scam: How to Verify the Caller
  • Account on Your Credit Report That Is Not Yours
  • How to Report a Scam for Free
  • Free Identity Theft Report and Recovery Plan
  • How to Freeze Your Credit for Free

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first thing I should do after discovering a scam?

Contact the bank, card issuer or company used to send the payment immediately. Ask whether the payment can be stopped or reversed and secure the affected account.

Should I contact the scammer and demand my money back?

Do not continue negotiating or send additional money. Preserve the evidence and work through the payment provider and appropriate reporting channels.

Can a scam payment be reversed?

Sometimes, particularly when the payment is still pending, the wire has not been collected, gift-card funds remain unused or the receiving account is frozen. Recovery is not guaranteed.

What is an unauthorized transaction?

It generally means a payment or transfer initiated by someone without the account holder’s authority. The exact legal classification depends on who initiated the transaction and how the account was accessed.

What if I personally pressed the send button?

Tell the provider that you were deceived and explain exactly what happened. A payment you personally initiated may be treated differently from one initiated by an account intruder, but it should still be reported immediately.

What if a scammer used my login information to send money?

Report that the scammer initiated the transfer using fraudulently obtained access. Change the password, revoke unfamiliar devices and secure related accounts.

Should I call the telephone number in a fraud-alert text?

No. Open the official banking application or use the number printed on your card or statement.

Will a bank ask me to move money to a safe account?

No. A request to move money to protect it is a major scam warning sign.

Will a government agency demand payment by gift card?

No legitimate government agency will demand gift-card numbers as payment.

What if I gave a scammer a verification code?

Contact the affected company immediately. Change passwords, review account access and check for transfers or profile changes.

What if the scammer had remote access to my computer?

Disconnect the device, remove remote-access software, run security scans and change financial and email passwords from a secure device.

Should I report a small unfamiliar charge?

Yes. A small transaction may be used to test whether stolen payment information works.

Can I dispute a pending transaction?

Some institutions wait for routine merchant disputes to post, but suspected unauthorized activity should be reported immediately even while pending.

Can I get money back from a payment-app scam?

Recovery depends on the circumstances, platform and funding source. Report the transaction to the app and linked bank or card issuer immediately.

Can a wire transfer be reversed?

A pending or uncollected wire may sometimes be stopped. Contact the wire provider or bank immediately and request a recall.

What should I do after paying with a gift card?

Contact the gift-card issuer, keep the card and receipt, ask it to freeze remaining funds and request reimbursement.

Can cryptocurrency be recovered?

Cryptocurrency transfers are generally difficult to reverse. Report the wallet and transaction to the exchange, FTC and FBI IC3, and avoid advance-fee recovery services.

Should I report the scam to the FTC?

Yes. FTC reports help identify patterns and support enforcement, but you should also contact the payment provider directly about recovering money.

What is the difference between ReportFraud.ftc.gov and IdentityTheft.gov?

ReportFraud.ftc.gov accepts reports about scams and deceptive practices. IdentityTheft.gov creates an identity-theft report and personalized recovery plan when personal information has been misused.

Should I report an online scam to the FBI?

Cyber-enabled fraud and internet crime can be reported through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

Will the FTC recover my money?

The FTC uses reports for investigations, enforcement and consumer warnings. An FTC report does not replace a direct recovery request to the bank or payment company.

Should I freeze my credit after a scam?

Consider freezing all three reports when sensitive personal information was exposed or identity theft is possible. A freeze does not secure existing bank or card accounts.

What is a scam recovery scam?

It is a second scam in which someone promises to recover an earlier loss in exchange for an upfront fee, tax or account payment.

Official Scam, Fraud and Identity-Theft Resources

Bottom Line

A scam may involve an unauthorized transaction, account takeover, identity theft or a payment you personally sent after believing a false story. Identify who initiated the payment, how it was sent and what information was exposed.

Contact the payment provider immediately, secure your accounts and preserve the evidence. Report scams to the FTC, identity theft through IdentityTheft.gov and cyber-enabled crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center when appropriate.

The practical rule: Stop the payment first, secure the account second and report the scam without sending another dollar.

This page provides general U.S. consumer information and does not provide individualized legal, financial or cybersecurity advice. Recovery rights, investigation procedures and reporting deadlines depend on the transaction, provider and applicable law.

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