If you have just lost money to a scam, the next 24 hours matter most. Stop all contact, call your bank or payment provider right away, save the evidence, and report the scam. Speed can sometimes stop or reverse a payment. Shame should never slow you down, because scammers are professionals and these crimes happen to careful, intelligent people every day.
- Call your bank or payment provider first. The sooner you report, the better the chance to stop or recall a payment.
- Stop talking to the scammer. Do not send more money, “fees” or “taxes,” whatever they promise.
- What to do depends on how you paid: card, bank transfer, payment app, gift card, cryptocurrency or cash each have different steps.
- Secure your accounts if you shared a password, code, ID or device access.
- Beware “recovery” offers. Anyone who contacts you offering to get your money back for a fee is very likely a second scammer.
You are not alone, and you are not foolish
In 2025, consumers reported losing $15.9 billion (about AED 58 billion) to fraud to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than a million complaints with reported losses of $20.9 billion (about AED 77 billion). Those are only the cases that were reported. Many people stay silent out of embarrassment, which is exactly what scammers count on.
Scams work because they are designed by people who study human behavior: urgency, fear, trust and hope. They use real logos, real names and sometimes real personal details. Falling for one says nothing about your intelligence. What matters now is acting quickly and carefully.
The faster you contact the company that moved your money, the better your chances. Do the first-hour steps below before you do anything else, and finish the rest within 24 hours.
The first hour: 6 actions
Stop all contact
Do not reply, call back or “settle” the matter with the scammer. Do not pay any new fee, tax, deposit or “release” charge, even if they say it is the last step. Block the number or account only after you have saved the messages (see the evidence checklist).
Call your bank or payment provider
Use the number on the back of your card, in your banking app or on the official website. Say clearly: “I have been the victim of a scam and I need to report a fraudulent payment.” Ask them to stop, recall or reverse the payment, and block your card if needed. Write down the name of the person you spoke to, the time and a reference number.
Secure any account you shared
If you gave away a password, a one-time code or access to your phone or computer, change your passwords from a safe device, turn on two-factor login and remove any remote-access app the scammer asked you to install.
Save the evidence
Take screenshots of messages, profiles, websites, payment confirmations, wallet addresses and phone numbers before anything disappears. Do not delete chats.
Tell one trusted person
A family member or friend can help you stay calm, make calls and spot new scam contact. Isolation helps scammers.
Write a short timeline
Note when you were contacted, what you were told, what you sent, how much, to whom and when. A clear timeline makes every report faster.
What to do by payment method
Your options differ a lot depending on how the money left your account. According to the FTC, bank transfers and cryptocurrency were the payment methods linked to the highest reported losses in 2025, and those are also the hardest to reverse.
| You paid by | Do this immediately | Chance of recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Credit card | Call the issuer on the back of the card. Report the charge as fraud or a scam and ask for a refund (a chargeback). | Best of the common methods |
| Debit card | Call your bank on the back of the card, report the transaction and ask for a refund. Ask them to replace the card. | Good if you act fast |
| Bank transfer or Zelle-type transfer | Call your bank immediately and ask them to reverse or recall the payment and to contact the receiving bank. | Possible if very fast, low if the money has moved |
| Payment app (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App and similar) | Report in the app right away and ask for a reversal and refund. Also tell your bank. | Varies, faster is better |
| Wire transfer or money-transfer service | Contact the company at once, say a scammer tricked you into sending the money, and request a refund. Also call your bank. | Low once collected, best within hours |
| Gift card | Call the card issuer using the number on the back, say a scammer got the number and PIN, and ask for a refund. Keep the card and receipt. | Low, but try immediately |
| Cryptocurrency | Contact the exchange or ATM operator immediately, say it was fraud, and ask them to reverse or freeze it. Report to the authorities. | Low. Crypto lacks the protections of cards |
| Cash sent by post or courier | Contact the postal or courier service at once. Some can intercept a parcel that has not yet been delivered. | Only if still in transit |
The FTC warns that cryptocurrency payments “don’t have the same legal protections as credit and debit cards do.” Contact the exchange or ATM operator straight away, and be very careful with anyone who promises to “trace” your coins for a fee.
Large international wire transfers
In the United States, the FBI runs a process called the Financial Fraud Kill Chain for large international wire fraud. As described by an industry source, it is meant for wire transfers of $50,000 (about AED 184,000) or more that are international, where a SWIFT recall has been initiated and the transfer happened within the last 72 hours. If your loss fits, tell your bank immediately and ask whether it can request this route, and report to the FBI. If it does not fit, you should still report it to law enforcement. The rules can change, so confirm the current criteria with the FBI.
What to do based on what you shared
Scammers rarely want money alone. Check what else you gave away and act on each item.
A password or login
Change it now, and change it anywhere you reused it. Turn on two-factor login. If you are locked out, use the service’s official account recovery. See our guide on checking your email for a data breach.
A one-time code (OTP)
Call your bank or the service immediately. Codes are used to approve payments and log in. Ask them to secure the account and review recent activity.
ID, passport or social security number
Contact the authority that issued the document and ask what to do. In the United States, report misuse at IdentityTheft.gov and follow its recovery plan. Consider a fraud alert or credit freeze.
Access to your phone or computer
Remove any remote-access app, update your security software, run a full scan, then change all important passwords from a different, clean device. Consider a factory reset if you are unsure.
Card or bank details
Ask your bank to block and replace the card. Review every transaction for the past weeks. Cancel automatic payments tied to the old card.
Personal photos or private details
Do not pay if you are threatened. Stop contact, save the messages and report them. Extortion threats are often bluffs.
Evidence checklist: what to save before it disappears
Authorities, banks and platforms move faster when you give them clear records. Put everything in one folder on a safe device.
- Messages: screenshots of texts, emails, direct messages and chat apps, including the sender’s name, number or username and the dates.
- Websites and ads: the web address, screenshots of the pages, and the advert that first reached you.
- Payment proof: receipts, transaction IDs, bank statements, card numbers (last four digits only), and the date, time and amount of every payment.
- Crypto details: wallet addresses, exchange names and transaction hashes.
- Phone calls: the numbers, dates, times and a short note on what was said.
- Your timeline: a simple list of events in order.
- Case numbers: every reference number from your bank, police and platforms.
Block the scammer only after you have saved the evidence. Blocking can hide the chat from view, and some apps remove content when an account is reported.
Where to report
Reporting does three things. It creates an official record, it can help investigators link cases, and it may help others avoid the same scam. Report even if the amount seems small.
United States
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov for any scam, which also helps the FTC spot trends
- ic3.gov, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, especially if money was lost online
- IdentityTheft.gov if your personal information was used
- Your local police, if you need a report for your bank or insurer
- The platform where the scam happened (the social network, marketplace or app) so it can remove the account
Elsewhere
Report to your national police cybercrime unit and consumer protection agency, and to the platform involved. Your bank can usually tell you the right local authority.
If you are in the UAE
Call your bank immediately
Use the official number on your card or banking app. Ask the bank to block the card, stop or recall the transfer and open an investigation. Make a formal complaint and keep the reference number.
File a police report
In Dubai, call Dubai Police on 901 or use the Dubai Police smart app or eCrime platform. In Abu Dhabi, call the Aman service on 800 2626. Bring your evidence and transaction details.
Escalate if the bank does not resolve it
If the bank does not resolve your complaint, you can escalate to the Central Bank of the UAE. Sanadak, the UAE’s financial ombudsman service for financial grievances, is the route for unresolved disputes with banks. Check its official website for how to file.
As reported by Khaleej Times in July 2026, Central Bank rules require licensed financial institutions to compensate consumers in a timely manner for losses from financial crimes, unless it can be proven that the loss was due to the consumer’s gross negligence or fraudulent behavior. Whether sharing a one-time code counts as negligence depends on the facts, so ask your bank how it will treat your case and record its answer in writing.
Phone numbers and procedures can change. Confirm them on the official websites of Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police and the Central Bank before you rely on them. Our guides on fake text message scams and fake investment and crypto platforms list the most common UAE reporting channels.
Beware of “recovery” offers
After a loss, many victims get a new message: a “lawyer,” “investigator,” “hacker” or “crypto tracing expert” who says they can get your money back for an upfront fee. This is very often a second scam, run by the same group or a partner who bought your details.
If you want legal help, find a licensed lawyer yourself through your country’s bar association, and check any firm in an official register. Our guide on checking whether a website is legit shows how to verify a company before you share anything.
The days and weeks after
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Within 24 hours | Bank contacted, evidence saved, accounts secured, reports filed, one trusted person told. |
| Days 2 to 7 | Follow up with your bank for a decision. Review all statements. Watch for new scam contact. Block and report any new approach. |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Check your credit report for accounts you did not open. Update the reports you filed if you remember new details. |
| Month 2 onward | Re-check your accounts, keep two-factor login on, and keep your evidence folder. Share what you learned with family. |
Victims are often targeted again, because scammers share or sell lists of people who have responded before. Treat any unexpected message, call or offer in the coming months with extra caution, especially anything about money, recovery, investment or romance.
Fake bank security staff, fake police or court officials, fake recovery agents, new “friends” online, and investment offers that mention your earlier loss. Verify everything through official channels you find yourself.
It is normal to feel angry, ashamed or numb
Losing money to a scam can bring shame, anger, anxiety and trouble sleeping, particularly if the loss is large or the scammer built a long relationship with you. These reactions are common. The people who targeted you were skilled, organized and often working in teams.
- Talk to someone you trust. Sharing the burden helps, and a second pair of eyes can spot follow-up scams.
- Do not blame yourself. Blame belongs with the criminals.
- Handle money decisions with someone else for a while if you feel overwhelmed.
- Ask for support. Many countries have victim support services, and your doctor or a counselor can help with stress.
If the loss is making you feel hopeless or unsafe, please contact your local emergency number or a crisis line right away, or reach out to a trusted person today.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if I was scammed?
Stop contact with the scammer, then call your bank or payment provider immediately to report the payment and ask them to stop or reverse it. Save evidence and report the scam to the authorities.
Can I get my money back after a scam?
Sometimes. Card payments and fast reports give the best chances. Bank transfers, gift cards, wires and cryptocurrency are much harder to recover. Recovery is never guaranteed, so report quickly and avoid anyone who promises results for a fee.
Should I report a scam even if I lost a small amount?
Yes. Reports help investigators connect cases, help platforms remove accounts and can protect other people. They are also useful if you later need proof for your bank.
Is it safe to hire someone to recover my money?
Be very cautious. Unsolicited recovery offers and anyone who asks for upfront payment or promises a guaranteed result are likely scams. If you want legal help, choose a licensed lawyer you find yourself.
What if I shared a one-time code?
Call your bank or the service immediately, tell them exactly what you shared, and ask them to secure your account and review recent activity. Keep a written record of what they say.
Will the scammer contact me again?
Possibly. Victims are often targeted again, sometimes by the same group posing as someone else. Block new contacts, verify any message through official channels and never pay to “recover” money.
Where do I report a scam in the UAE?
Contact your bank first, then report to Dubai Police on 901 or the eCrime platform, or to the Aman service in Abu Dhabi on 800 2626. If your bank does not resolve the complaint, you can escalate to the Central Bank of the UAE.
Stop the next scam before it starts
Learn the warning signs of the most costly scams, and protect the people around you.
Sources
- FTC: What to do if you were scammed
- FTC testimony to the Joint Economic Committee, March 2026
- CyberScoop: Cybercrime losses jumped 26% to $20.9 billion in 2025 (FBI IC3)
- ALTA: Hit by wire transfer fraud? Use the Kill Chain process
- Khaleej Times: Fallen victim to a bank scam in the UAE? How to get your money back (July 2026)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center · ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Currency conversions use the fixed rate of about AED 3.67 per US dollar. This guide is for general information and is not legal or financial advice. Recovery of funds is never guaranteed. See our Disclaimer and Editorial Policy.