Printed from voicescam.com/help/what-to-do-if-you-were-scammed/ · Updated 23 October 2026
What to do if you have been scammed by phone
Contact the company you paid through right away and ask them to stop or reverse the payment, then secure your accounts and report the scam. Fast action gives the best chance of getting money back, and being scammed is nothing to be ashamed of.
Do this now, in this order
- Call your bank or payment company on the number on your card or their official website.
- If you paid with gift cards, call the card company with the card numbers and receipt.
- If you paid with crypto, contact the exchange or the crypto ATM operator.
- Change passwords and PINs for anything you shared.
- Report it to the police and your national fraud service.
Stop the payment
The right contact depends on how the money left. In the US, consumers report losing more money through bank transfers and crypto than all other payment methods combined (FTC, 2025), so call quickly.
| How you paid | Who to contact | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer or wire | Your bank | Recall the payment and alert the receiving bank |
| Debit or credit card | Your card provider | Dispute the charge and cancel the card |
| Gift cards | The company that issued the cards | Freeze the remaining balance |
| Crypto | The exchange or ATM operator | Freeze the transaction and flag the wallet |
| Payment app | The app and your bank | Report fraud and block the recipient |
| Cash by courier | The police, straight away | Help to trace the courier |
Secure your accounts
- Change passwords for email and banking first, then anything else you shared.
- Turn on two-step login wherever it is offered.
- Remove any app the caller asked you to install. If unsure, have the device checked.
- Watch your statements for the next few months.
Report the scam
- United States: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for internet-enabled crime, IC3.gov.
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Report Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. It replaced Action Fraud in December 2025 (City of London Police).
- Scotland: Police Scotland on 101.
- Canada: the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
- Elsewhere: your local police and national consumer-protection agency.
More detail is in how to report a scam call.
Getting money back
It depends on your country and how you paid. In the UK, most people tricked into sending a bank transfer can be reimbursed up to £85,000 per claim under rules in force since 7 October 2024 (Payment Systems Regulator). Card payments can often be disputed. Gift cards, crypto and cash are hardest to recover.
Watch for the recovery scam
- Someone offers to recover your money for a fee.
- A caller says they are from the police or a regulator and asks for payment to "release" funds.
- They know details of your loss. Scammers sell lists of past victims.
- They ask for remote access to your computer or phone.
Look after yourself
These scams are built by professionals to beat careful people. Tell someone you trust. Many people feel shaken for days afterwards, and talking about it helps.
What to say to your bank and what to keep
When you call your bank, keep it short and clear. You do not need to explain every detail of the scam on the first call. Have your card or account number ready, and a pen and paper.
- Say "I have been the victim of fraud" at the start, so you are passed to the fraud team.
- Give the date, time and amount of each payment, and where it went.
- Ask them to stop or recall the payment and to block any further payments.
- Ask for a reference number, and write down the name of the person you spoke to.
Keep everything as evidence: call logs, texts, emails, receipts, gift card numbers and screenshots of any chat. Do not delete the call from your phone's history, even after you block the number. Put it all in one folder so you can find it quickly when the bank or the police ask.
If the caller hung up before you shared anything, read what to check if you only answered the call. For anything else, go back to our full list of scam help guides.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, press release: "New FTC data show a big jump in reported losses to fraud to $12.5 billion in 2024". Published March 2025. Checked 23 October 2026.
- Payment Systems Regulator, authorised push payment (APP) scams reimbursement. Published October 2024. Checked 23 October 2026.
- City of London Police, "Report Fraud service goes live". Published 4 December 2025. Checked 23 October 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission, ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Checked 23 October 2026.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, IC3.gov. Checked 23 October 2026.
Common questions
Will I get my money back?
Sometimes, especially if you act fast and paid by bank transfer or card. Gift cards, crypto and cash are harder. Ask your bank exactly what protections apply.
Should I tell my family?
Yes, if you feel able to. They can help you make calls, and they may get the same scam call next.
Someone says they can recover my money for a fee. Is that real?
Almost certainly not. Genuine help from banks, police and regulators is free. Do not pay.
Do I need a police report for my bank?
Not always, but a crime reference number can help. Report to both if you can.
