Can I get my money back?

It depends on how the payment was made. Card payments (especially credit card) and UK Faster Payments may be reversible under chargeback or the Contingent Reimbursement Model. Crypto and international wire transfers are usually not recoverable.

Should I confront the scammer?

No. Confrontation gives them time to move funds and warns them to abandon infrastructure that authorities might otherwise trace. Disengage and let investigators work.

How do I avoid recovery scams?

Legitimate fund recovery never starts with cold contact and never requires upfront fees. Anyone offering to 'unlock' or 'release' your funds for a fee is a follow-on scammer.

Help · After a scam

What to do if you've been scammed.

The first hour matters most. Here's a calm checklist to maximise recovery and stop a second wave of fraud.

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Step 1 — Stop the bleeding

Freeze affected cards via your banking app, log out of impacted accounts on all devices, change passwords starting with your email account (because email is the recovery channel for everything else), and revoke any active sessions or third-party app connections.

Step 2 — Contact your bank

Call the number on the back of your card. For UK Faster Payments transfers, ask the bank to invoke the Contingent Reimbursement Model and to issue a recall request to the recipient bank. For card payments, request a chargeback under the relevant scheme rules (Visa, Mastercard, Amex). Time matters — most schemes have a strict reporting window.

Step 3 — Preserve evidence

Screenshot every message, page, and transaction confirmation. Don't delete the originals — your bank, the police, and regulators will need them. Note timestamps, the device used, and any phone numbers or email addresses involved.

Step 4 — Report it

Action Fraud (UK, 0300 123 2040), IC3.gov (US), or your local equivalent. Also report directly to the impersonated brand, the platform where contact began (dating app, social network, marketplace), and to FraudRadar so we can add the case to active disruption.

Step 5 — Lock down your identity

If personal data was shared, register with Cifas (UK) or place a fraud alert with major credit bureaus (US: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). Monitor your credit file for new accounts opened in your name.

Step 6 — Watch for recovery scams

Within days to weeks, fraudsters often contact victims again posing as recovery specialists, regulators, or police officers. Legitimate recovery never happens via cold contact and never requires upfront fees. Add anyone making such offers to your evidence pack and report them too.

Looking after yourself

Scams are crimes and the psychological impact is real. Victim-support services like Victim Support (UK), AARP (US), and your bank's customer-care team can help. Talking to friends and family early reduces the chance of follow-on victimisation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get my money back?: It depends on how the payment was made. Card payments (especially credit card) and UK Faster Payments may be reversible under chargeback or the Contingent Reimbursement Model. Crypto and international wire transfers are usually not recoverable.
Should I confront the scammer?: No. Confrontation gives them time to move funds and warns them to abandon infrastructure that authorities might otherwise trace. Disengage and let investigators work.
How do I avoid recovery scams?: Legitimate fund recovery never starts with cold contact and never requires upfront fees. Anyone offering to 'unlock' or 'release' your funds for a fee is a follow-on scammer.