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RECOVERY

Should I tell my bank I've been scammed?

Yes — call your bank now, even if you are not sure whether the payment can be stopped. Speed is the single most important factor in whether your bank can help. Every hour you wait reduces the chance of recovery.

In an active crisis?

  • Call your bank
  • Call the platform (Amazon, PayPal, MobilePay, etc.)
  • Call local police

Important — watch out for a second scam: Be very careful of anyone who contacts you promising to get your money back — especially for an upfront fee. No legitimate company or government agency guarantees recovery of scammed funds. Recovery-scam operators specifically target people who have just been scammed. Paying them is a second scam. Never pay a fee to recover money, and never give your details to an unsolicited "fund recovery" service.

Step 1 — Call your bank's fraud line right now

Do this now: Call the fraud or lost-and-stolen number on the back of your bank card, or find it on your bank's official website. Tell them you have been the victim of a scam and give them the date, amount, and recipient details. Ask them to attempt a recall or to freeze the transaction.

Do not use any phone number given to you by the scammer. Use only the number on the back of your card or on your bank's official website.

Important: Banks can sometimes reverse or recall a payment if it has not yet been processed or if the receiving bank cooperates. This window is often very short — sometimes just a few hours for domestic transfers. The sooner you call, the better your chances.

Step 2 — What to tell your bank

Have the following ready before you call:

  • The date and time of the payment
  • The exact amount
  • The account number or name you sent it to (if you have it)
  • How you were contacted by the scammer (phone, email, text, online)
  • What you were told — for example, "I was told it was a refund from my utility company" or "I thought I was paying for goods on a marketplace"
  • Any reference numbers, screenshots, or messages you have saved

Be honest and complete. Banks assess scam claims based on the circumstances — the more clearly you explain what happened, the better your bank can evaluate your case.

Step 3 — Ask about your bank's scam reimbursement policy

Do this now: Ask your bank whether you are covered under their fraud or scam reimbursement policy. In the UK, the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code and the new mandatory reimbursement rules under the Payment Systems Regulator mean many authorised push payment (APP) scam victims are entitled to reimbursement. In the US, protections vary by payment type — credit card fraud has strong protections under the Fair Credit Billing Act; bank transfers have fewer automatic protections.

You may not be able to recover the money, but contacting your bank immediately gives you the best possible chance and creates an official record of the fraud.

Step 4 — Secure your accounts

Do this now: Change your online banking password immediately, especially if you shared it with the scammer or if you used the same password elsewhere. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your banking app if you have not already done so.

If the scammer had access to your device or your screen, treat all your passwords as compromised and change them starting with your email and banking accounts.

Step 5 — Report it to the authorities

Reporting to authorities creates a record that may support your bank's investigation and helps law enforcement track scam patterns.

You've taken the right steps: You have contacted your bank, given them the details they need, and reported the scam. You have done what you can. Whatever the outcome, this is not your fault.

What happens next

Your bank will open a fraud case and investigate. This can take days or weeks. Keep records of every conversation — note the date, time, and name of the person you spoke to. If your bank declines your claim, you may be able to escalate to a financial ombudsman or regulator in your country.

This is not your fault. Scams are designed by professionals to deceive people. Taking action now is the right thing to do.

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This page was last reviewed: June 27, 2026.
Recovery pages are drafted with AI assistance, then reviewed line-by-line by the editor, sourced against official reporting authorities, and tested for tone and clarity before publication.