I’ve Been Scammed: What Do I Do Now?

Act fast to limit the damage. Follow this checklist based on how you were contacted:

Financial Recovery Guide

If you were scammed, time is critical. Stop communicating with the scammer and do not send any additional money. Save all texts, emails, screenshots, receipts, and transaction information. The sooner you contact your financial institution or payment provider, the higher the chance of stopping or recovering your funds.

Bank Account Recovery (ACH & Direct Transfers)

Use these steps if money was transferred directly out of your checking or savings account (including online bill pay or bank-to-bank transfers):

• Step 1: Contact your bank immediately. Call the fraud or customer service number on the back of your debit card or on an official bank statement (never use numbers from email or text messages, which can direct back to scammers).
• Step 2: Request an immediate transfer hold or recall.
  • Tell the bank: "I was victimized by a fraud/scam and need to initiate an immediate transfer recall/reversal."
  • Ask them to contact the receiving bank to freeze the funds before they are withdrawn.
  • Ask for a fraud case/reference number and write down the name of the representative you spoke with.
• Step 3: Secure your account.
  • Change your online banking passwords and setup/update Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
  • Request a new account number if your account or routing details were compromised.
  • Ask the bank to place a fraud alert on your profile.

Wire Transfer Recovery (Bank Wires, Western Union, MoneyGram)

Wire transfers move money almost instantly, making them a favorite for scammers. However, if the funds haven't been picked up or finalized, you may still be able to stop them.

File a Complaint with IC3

• Step 1: File a complaint with IC3 immediately. Rapid reporting within 72 hours allows the IC3's Recovery Asset Team (RAT) to potentially freeze the funds. 

Bank Wires 

• Step 1: Call your bank's wire department immediately.
• Step 2: Request a Recall of Wire Transfer.
• Step 3: Provide the transaction control number (IMAD/OMAD number) provided on your transfer receipt.

Money Transfer Services (Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria)

• Call customer service right away:
  • Western Union: 1-800-448-1492
  • MoneyGram: 1-800-926-9400
  • Ria (non-Walmart transfers): 1-877-443-1399
  • Ria (Walmart2Walmart and Walmart2World transfers): 1-855-355-2144
• Ask the representative to cancel the transaction and refund your money.

Debit Card Recovery

Debit card transactions are protected under the federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA / Regulation E), but you must act fast.

• Step 1: Freeze or block your card immediately. Use your bank’s mobile app or call the customer service number on the back of your card to report it lost/stolen.
• Step 2: File a formal fraud dispute with your card issuer.
  • State clearly whether the transaction was unauthorized (someone used your card without permission) or induced by fraud (you were tricked into paying).
• Know your liability protections (Regulation E):
  • Reported within 2 business days: Your maximum loss is capped at $50.
  • Reported between 2 and 60 days: Your maximum liability is capped at $500.
  • Reported after 60 days: You risk losing all funds taken from your account.
• Step 3: Track provisional credit. Under federal law, banks must generally grant provisional credit while investigating disputes that take longer than 10 business days.

Credit Card Recovery

Credit cards offer the strongest legal protections against fraud under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA / Regulation Z).

• Step 1: Call your credit card company's fraud department. Report the transaction as fraudulent or unauthorized.
• Step 2: Initiate a chargeback / billing dispute.
  • Explain that you were scammed, lied to, or billed fraudulently.
  • Ask for a temporary credit while the issuer investigates.
• Step 3: Submit a written dispute (Recommended).
  • Send a formal letter or submit an online dispute portal claim within 60 days of the statement date showing the charge.
  • Include details: seller name, transaction date, amount, and evidence (emails, texts, screenshots).
• Maximum Liability: Under federal law, your maximum liability for unauthorized credit card charges is $50. Most major credit card issuers offer $0 Zero Liability protection.

Gift Card Recovery

If you purchased gift cards for a scammer, every second counts—if the funds have not been redeemed, the issuer can freeze the card and refund your money.

• Step 1: Contact the gift card issuer's fraud department immediately.
  • Call the customer support number listed directly on the back of the card or on the official retailer website (e.g., Apple, Target, Google Play, Amazon, Vanilla Visa).
  • State clearly: "I purchased this gift card as part of a scam, and I need to freeze the remaining balance immediately."
• Step 2: Provide proof of purchase.
  • Have the physical card, card number, PIN, and store receipt ready. The issuer will need the numbers to verify whether the funds are still on the card.
  • If the funds are unspent, ask the issuer to void the card and issue a replacement or refund
• Step 3: Keep physical evidence.
  • Keep the original store receipt, the physical gift card, and any activation slips. You will need these when filing law enforcement and fraud reports.

Cryptocurrency Recovery 

Cryptocurrency payments typically are not reversible. Once you pay with cryptocurrency, you can only get your money back if the person you paid sends it back. However, taking swift action can help trace the funds and prevent further loss.

• Step 1: Contact the crypto exchange or wallet provider.
  • If you sent funds using a centralized platform (e.g., Coinbase, Kraken, Binance), contact their support or fraud department immediately.
  • If the recipient account is on the same exchange or a partner platform, the exchange may be able to freeze the suspect wallet before the scammer cashes out. 
• Step 2: Collect blockchain evidence.
  • Document all wallet addresses (both yours and the scammer's), transaction hashes, timestamps, dollar values, and communication logs. 
• Step 3: Report to law enforcement and federal agencies.

Information to Have Ready When Calling Your Financial Institution

Keep the following details nearby when speaking with customer support:

1. Transaction Details: Date, time, and dollar amount.
2. Payment Method: Account number, card number, or wire tracking number (IMAD/OMAD/MTCN).
3. Recipient Information: Name, bank name, account number, phone number, or handle of the receiving party.
4. Scam Summary: A brief, clear summary of how the fraud occurred.
5. Police Report Number: (If filed) SFPD or local police report number.

Beware of Refund and Recovery Scams

• Refund and Recovery Scams target victims who’ve already lost money to a scam.
• Scammers often obtain “sucker lists” containing personal info of prior scam victims.
• They contact victims claiming they can recover victims’ money, the prize or merchandise never received—for a fee—but it’s another scam. 

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself

• No matter how someone contacts you (by phone, mail, online, email, text message or social media), don’t trust unsolicited outreach claiming to recover losses for a fee.
• Even if someone reaches out saying they’re from a government agency, a nonprofit, or other group, if they’re claiming to need payment or personal information, they’re a scammer. Government agencies and legitimate organizations will never ask for money or for your financial account numbers or other personal information.
• Never provide upfront payment or personal/financial details.
• Be wary if they insist on non-traditional payment methods.
• If you receive an overpayment check, don’t deposit it. Scams like this can take weeks to surface.
• Always verify independently: look up any group contacting you, use terms like “scam” or “complaint,” and call agencies via official numbers—not those provided by the contact.

Report the Scam

1. File a Police Report: Report the incident to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) online or at your local precinct.
2. Report to Federal Authorities:
3. FTC: File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
4. FBI IC3: If the scam occurred online, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
5. Protect Your Credit: Place a free credit freeze on your credit reports at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
6. Continue to closely monitor financial activity on all your accounts

Payment App Recovery Guide

Know your rights when using Zelle, Venmo, Cash App or ApplePay.

Unauthorized Transactions (You were hacked)

If someone logged into your account without your permission, you are protected by Federal Regulation E

• The Law: You are generally not responsible for unauthorized transfers if you report them within two business days.
• Action: Contact the app's customer service immediately to report the breach and request a "Provisional Credit".

Authorized Transactions (You were Tricked)

If you hit the "Send" button because you were tricked by an imposter, getting your money back is difficult, but not impossible. Call the app to report the issue right away.

You Are Not Alone

Scams happen to people who are smart, careful, and trying to do the right thing. Here is what San Franciscans who have been through this want you to know.
 

"When it happened to me I had no idea what to do or where to go. I just had to move on. Knowing that San Francisco is building something where people can actually get help, before and after, means the next person won't have to go through that alone. I wish I had that."
— Kamiyah S., San Francisco resident

"I knew something felt wrong during the scam but I didn't trust my instincts."
— Jonah R., retired professor and StopScams SF community advocate

"My dad called me before he clicked the link, and we caught it in time. But I kept thinking about everyone else in my community who gets messages like that and does not have someone to call."
— Pedro C., San Francisco community organizer

Scammers count on silence. When you are ready, sharing your story helps protect the next person it could happen to.