I Got Scammed: What to Do, How to Get Money Back, Where to Report

If you think a scam is happening right now, stop: hang up, do not click the link, and do not pay. If it already happened, call the fraud line of the company you paid through (your card issuer, bank, payment app, wire company, gift card issuer or crypto exchange) using a number you look up yourself, and ask it to stop or reverse the payment. Then report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for anything that happened online, to the FBI at ic3.gov.

Whether the law gives you a right to get the money back depends mostly on how you paid, and on one question: did the scammer move the money, or did you send it yourself after being tricked? Credit cards and transfers a scammer made out of your bank account carry federal refund rules with fixed deadlines. Wires, gift cards, cryptocurrency and cash carry few or none, which is why speed matters so much.

Information last verified on October 2, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This guide covers US federal law and federal agency guidance: the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E, the Truth in Lending Act (including the Fair Credit Billing Act) and Regulation Z, the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule, federal criminal restitution and victims' rights statutes, and FINRA arbitration rules. Payment company policies are described as policy, not law. State law is not covered here, including state fraud lawsuits, small claims limits, state cryptocurrency ATM laws and state consumer protection statutes.

Is this a scam? The FTC's four warning signs

Most scams follow the same pattern. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lists "Four Signs That It's a Scam" in its guide How To Avoid a Scam:

1. "Scammers PRETEND to be from an organization you know."
2. "Scammers say there's a PROBLEM or a PRIZE."
3. "Scammers PRESSURE you to act immediately."
4. "Scammers tell you to PAY in a specific way."

Pretending. Scammers pose as the government (the FTC names the FTC itself, the Social Security Administration, the IRS and Medicare), a utility, a tech company or a charity. The FTC warns that "They use technology to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID. So the name and number you see might not be real."

A problem or a prize. You owe money, you are in trouble with the government, a relative had an emergency, your computer has a virus, your account needs verifying, or you won a prize but must pay a fee to collect it.

Pressure. The FTC says scammers "might threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver's or business license, or deport you." If you are on the phone, "they might tell you not to hang up so you can't check out their story."

A specific way to pay. In the FTC's words, "They often insist that you can only pay by using cryptocurrency, wiring money through a company like MoneyGram or Western Union, using a payment app, or putting money on a gift card and then giving them the numbers on the back of the card." Some send a check that "will later turn out to be fake," then ask you to deposit it and send money back.

For the specific tells and checks for a text, an email, a phone call, a website, a QR code or a social media message, see how to tell if something is a scam.

Not sure about a specific call, text or offer? The Is this a scam? checker asks a few questions and shows which warning signs match. Your answers stay in your browser.

The rule that stops most scams: contact them your own way

Hang up, do not click, and reach the company or agency through a number or website you find yourself. The FTC's advice for a message that seems to come from a company you use: "it's still best not to click on any links. Instead, contact them using a website you know is trustworthy. Or look up their phone number. Don't call a number they gave you or the number from your caller ID."

A few FTC statements work as hard stops. If you hear any of these, it is a scam:

• A request for a code. "Anyone who asks you for your account verification code is a scammer."
• Moving money to keep it safe. "Someone who says you have to move your money to protect it is a scammer. Period."
• A government official demanding money. "The FTC will never threaten you, say you must transfer your money to 'protect it,' or tell you to withdraw cash or buy gold and give it to someone. That's a scam."
• Gift cards as payment. "Only scammers will tell you to buy a gift card, like a Google Play or Apple Card, and give them the numbers off the back of the card."
• Send-back checks. "never deposit a check and send money back to someone."

The FTC also suggests stopping to tell a friend, family member or neighbor what happened before you do anything else, because "Talking about it could help you realize it's a scam."

I got scammed: what to do in the first hour

Scammers are professionals, and people of every age and background get caught. What matters now is speed. Work through these steps in order.

1. Stop paying and stop talking to them. Do not send a final fee to "release" your money, and do not stay on the line while they coach you. End contact.
2. Call the fraud line of the company you paid through. Use the number on the back of your card or the company's official app or website, never a number the scammer gave you. The FTC's guidance: "If you paid a scammer, your money might be gone already. But it's always worth asking the company you used to send the money if there's a way to get it back." That company is usually the one that can stop or reverse your payment; a report to a government agency does not reverse a payment by itself. Tell it a scammer tricked you, and say exactly how (for example, whether the scammer got your login or code, or whether you sent the money yourself).
3. If money left by wire or bank transfer, ask for a recall and file with the FBI. The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report says: "If you discover a fraudulent transfer, time is of the essence. Immediately, contact your financial institution and request a recall of the funds along with any necessary indemnification documents." It adds: "Regardless of the amount lost, file a complaint at www.ic3.gov. Be sure to include the full transaction details in your report." The FBI's Recovery Asset Team helps banks and FBI field offices freeze funds; in 2025 it worked 3,900 incidents and froze $679,013,183 of $1,163,919,846 in attempted theft. Those are incidents the FBI acted on, not the odds for every victim.
4. If you mailed cash, call the Postal Inspection Service. The FTC says to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 immediately: "For a fee, they can intercept the package. This lets you redirect a domestic shipment that hasn't been delivered." For FedEx, UPS or another carrier, contact them as soon as possible.
5. Secure your accounts. If you gave a scammer a password and can still log in, the FTC says to create a new, strong password (and change it anywhere else you used it) and turn on two-factor authentication. If you let a scammer into your computer, update your security software, run a scan and delete anything it flags. If you gave your Social Security number and it was used, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan; if you are not sure, go to IdentityTheft.gov/databreach. A credit freeze is free: "There's no cost to place or lift a credit freeze, and it doesn't affect your credit score." See credit freeze vs. fraud alert.
6. Report the scam. File with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357), and with the FBI at ic3.gov for internet-enabled scams. If you are 60 or older, the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline is 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). Our guide on where to report a scam matches each type of scam to the right agency.
7. Keep records. Write down dates, amounts, transaction numbers, the account the money went to, and every phone number, email address, website and screen name the scammer used. The IC3 does not take attachments, so "keep all original documents in a secure location" in case an investigating agency asks for them. Save or print your IC3 complaint before closing the page; the FBI says "This is the only time you will be able to retain a copy of your complaint."
8. Expect a second scam. People who just lost money are targeted again by fake recovery services, fake lawyers and fake government agents. Read the recovery scams section below before you answer anyone who offers to help.

Watch the clocks. For a bank account or debit card, report within two business days after you learn a card or code was lost or stolen to keep your liability for unauthorized transfers at $50 or less (12 C.F.R. § 1005.6(b)(1)), and within 60 days after the statement showing an unauthorized transfer (12 C.F.R. § 1005.6(b)(3)). The $50 and $500 limits apply when a lost or stolen card or code was used; for an unauthorized transfer made without one, you owe nothing if you report within 60 days after the statement. For a credit card, your billing-error notice must be in writing and must reach the issuer at the billing-error address it discloses (usually on your statement) within 60 days after it sent the first statement showing the charge (12 C.F.R. § 1026.13(b)). A phone call is the right first step, but follow it up in writing.

Does reporting get my money back?

Not by itself. The FTC's reporting site says plainly: "We can't resolve your individual report, but we use reports to investigate and bring cases against fraud, scams, and bad business practices." The IC3 says "You will not hear from the IC3," because it "does not conduct investigations" itself; it passes reports to FBI field offices and other agencies. Reports still matter. The FTC enforces Section 5 of the FTC Act, which declares "unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce" unlawful (15 U.S.C. § 45(a)(1)), and it uses reports to "build cases against scammers," "spot trends," "educate the public" and "share data about what is happening in your community."

Can I get my money back? It depends on how you paid

The FTC organizes its own advice by payment method, because the law does. This table gives the governing rule for each method in one line. Our guide on how to get money back after a scam walks through each one in full, with the dispute steps and deadlines.

Did the scammer move the money, or did you send it?

Bank and app refund rights turn on one word: unauthorized. Regulation E defines it this way:

"'Unauthorized electronic fund transfer' means an electronic fund transfer from a consumer's account initiated by a person other than the consumer without actual authority to initiate the transfer and from which the consumer receives no benefit." (12 C.F.R. § 1005.2(m))

In plain words, the protection is built for money that someone else moved. Two situations follow from that.

The scammer got in and moved the money. This is unauthorized, even if you were tricked into opening the door. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says that when "a consumer is fraudulently induced into sharing account access information with a third party, and a third party uses that information to make an EFT from the consumer's account, the transfer is an unauthorized EFT under Regulation E." Its examples include a caller "pretending to be a representative from the consumer's financial institution" who tricks the consumer into providing "their account login information, texted account confirmation code, debit card number, or other information that could be used to initiate an EFT," and a scammer who uses phishing to "observe the consumer entering account login information."

Three more CFPB answers help here. Your bank cannot hold your mistake against you: Regulation E's commentary "expressly states that negligence by the consumer cannot be used as the basis for imposing greater liability than is permissible under Regulation E." Your bank cannot make you contact the merchant first: it "must begin its investigation promptly upon receipt of an oral or written notice of error." And a payment network's rule that transfers are "final and irrevocable" does "not reduce consumer protections against liability for unauthorized EFTs."

You pressed send yourself. If you personally sent the payment, for example to a fake investment adviser or a fake seller, the transfer was initiated by you, not by "a person other than the consumer." As written, the definition generally does not reach that payment, and banks and apps often treat it as authorized. Some companies go further by policy. As of October 2026, Zelle's support page says "A scam is when you knowingly send money but do not receive what you expected in return," and that "Certain impostor scams qualify for reimbursement." That is Zelle's policy, not a legal right, and it can change.

Either way, call. Describe exactly what happened, because the facts decide which rules apply.

Common scams and where to go next

Each of these has its own guide. The short version here tells you what the scam looks like and where to go.

Scam texts, emails and calls (phishing, smishing and vishing). Phishing is the broad term for messages that try to steal your passwords, account numbers or Social Security number; smishing is phishing by text message, and vishing is phishing by voice call. The FTC reports that fake package delivery texts, "usually from someone pretending to be from the U.S. Postal Service," were the most reported text scam of 2024, and that fake toll texts imitate programs "from SunPass in Florida to FasTrak in San Francisco." The Postal Inspection Service says USPS tracking texts come only after a customer requests them with a tracking number, "and it will NOT contain a link." Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM), which goes to your wireless provider. Full guide: phishing, smishing and vishing.

Fake bank fraud alerts. A caller or text claiming to be your bank's fraud department says your account is at risk. The FTC describes the Zelle version: scammers "pose as your bank and tell you there's a problem with your account," then walk you through moving money into "a new account in your name," which "really belongs to the scammer." Your bank "will never contact you to tell you to transfer money or to ask for personal information or passcodes," according to the FTC. See Zelle and payment app scams.

Tech support and fake invoices. A pop-up, call or email says your computer is infected, or that you were charged hundreds of dollars to renew a subscription using names like "Geek Squad, McAfee, and Norton." The FTC says "Legitimate tech companies won't contact you by phone, email, or text message to tell you there's a problem with your computer," and "Real security pop-up warnings and messages will never ask you to call a phone number." Full guide: tech support and fake invoice scams.

Zelle, Venmo, Cash App and PayPal scams. Fake sellers, overpayments, payments sent by mistake and the send-money-to-yourself trick. See Zelle and payment app scams.

AI voice clones and deepfake calls. The FBI warns that "malicious actors are more frequently exploiting AI-generated audio to impersonate well-known, public figures or personal relations to increase the believability of their schemes." See AI voice scam calls and deepfake fraud and impersonation laws.

Investment scams. These caused the largest reported losses to the FTC in 2025, over $7.9 billion. If a brokerage firm or broker was involved, see the FINRA section further down this page. Full guide: crypto and investment scams.

Notario and immigration fraud. Immigrants are targeted by people who falsely offer immigration legal help. See notario fraud.

Scams aimed at Spanish speakers. See phone scams targeting Spanish speakers.

Government impersonators. A caller, text or letter claims to be from Social Security, the IRS, Medicare or the police and says you must pay or move money to avoid arrest or protect your account. Full guide: government impersonation scams.

Romance scams. Someone you met online or through a dating app builds a relationship, then asks for money or steers you into an investment. Full guide: romance scams.

Gift card payments. Anyone who tells you to pay a bill, a fine or a debt with gift cards is running a scam. Full guide: gift card scams.

Prize, lottery and sweepstakes notices. A message says you won, but you must pay a fee or taxes first. Full guide: sweepstakes and lottery scams.

Job offers and paid online tasks. A recruiter offers easy work, then asks you to pay to unlock earnings or to deposit a check and send money back. Full guide: job and task scams.

Rental listings. A home or apartment is advertised by someone who does not control it and asks for an application fee, deposit or rent before you have met anyone or been given a lease you can check. Full guide: rental scams.

Sextortion. Someone threatens to share intimate images unless you pay or send more images. Full guide: sextortion scams.

Scams against older adults. For reporting routes, Adult Protective Services and what families can do, see elder fraud.

Grandparent and family emergency calls. A call or message says a grandchild or other relative is in trouble, or claims to be holding a loved one, and wants money fast, sometimes collected by a courier who comes to your door. Full guide: grandparent and family emergency scams.

Utility shutoff threats. A caller or visitor says your power, gas or water will be cut off unless you pay right away. Full guide: utility scams.

Home repair and contractor offers. Someone at the door offers repairs, often after a storm, and wants everything paid up front. Full guide: home repair and contractor scams.

Medicare and health insurance. Someone offers free tests, braces or medical supplies in exchange for your Medicare number, or your Marketplace plan is changed without your permission. Full guide: Medicare and health insurance scams.

Online shopping and marketplace deals. A website or seller takes your money and never ships, or a buyer on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist uses a fake payment or overpayment trick. Full guide: online shopping and marketplace scams.

Fake charities and disaster relief. After a disaster or a mass casualty event, scammers ask for donations or pose as relief agencies. Full guide: charity and disaster scams.

Debt relief, student loan and credit repair offers. A company promises to settle your debts, get your student loans forgiven or repair your credit, and wants a fee first. Full guide: debt relief and student loan scams.

Stolen mail and washed checks. A check you mailed is stolen, then altered or copied and cashed. Full guide: mail theft and check washing.

Identity theft. If a scammer got your Social Security number or opened accounts in your name, see our identity theft guide and how to report identity theft. If a scammer has your Social Security number, bank login or card number but nothing has happened yet, see what to do if a scammer has your information.

Fake settlement notices. A message about a class-action settlement can be fake. Before you file a claim or share information, check the link with our settlement notice verifier and look the case up in our data breach settlement tracker.

Robocalls and spam texts. For the federal law on unwanted calls and texts, see our TCPA guide.

Being asked to receive and forward money. Someone asks you to accept money into your account and pass it on. The FBI says these recruiters "often target the elderly, students, those looking for work, or those on dating websites," and warns that "Acting as a money mule is illegal and punishable, even if you aren't aware you're committing a crime," and that "you may be held personally liable for repaying money lost by victims." If you suspect it, the FBI says to stop communicating, stop transferring money, notify your bank and the service you used, and report to IC3. Full guide: money mule and fake check scams.

Watch out for recovery scams (including fake lawyers)

The FTC calls refund and recovery scams "the worst of the worst: scams that target people who have already lost money to a scam." The pattern: "Scammers buy lists of people who've paid scammers. They call it a 'sucker list.'" Then someone calls, emails, texts or messages you claiming they can get your money back. The scammer "may say they're with a government agency, a consumer advocacy group, a law firm, or some other organization," and asks for a "retainer fee," "processing fee," "administrative charge," "tax" or "shipment and handling charge."

The FTC's test is short: "Did someone contact you and ask for an upfront fee? That's a scammer." It adds that "Government agencies and legitimate organizations will never ask for money to help you get a refund. They will never ask for your financial account numbers or other personal information and will not guarantee that you'll get your money back." And: "Don't deposit a refund check for more money than you lost."

Fake law firms. The FBI has issued repeated warnings about fictitious law firms targeting cryptocurrency scam victims. Its June 2024 alert says "fraudsters posing as lawyers representing fictitious law firms may contact scam victims and offer their services, claiming to have the authorization to investigate fund recovery cases," and that victims reported losses "totaling over $9.9 million" to them between February 2023 and February 2024. It also says: "Law enforcement does not charge victims a fee for investigating crimes." The FBI's August 2025 alert adds:

• "There are no law firms which are officially authorized partners of US Government agencies."
• "The US Government does not request payment for law enforcement services provided."
• Warning signs include a caller "Having knowledge of the exact amounts and dates of previous wire transfers," and "An unwillingness or inability to provide credentials or a license, not appearing on camera, and not conducting video meetings."
• "Request video verification or documentation or a photo of their law license. If this cannot be readily provided, assume they are not legitimate."

Fake agencies. The IC3 warns that scammers impersonate it: "The IC3 does not work with any non-law enforcement entity, such as law firms or crypto services, to recuperate lost funds or investigate cases. The IC3 will never directly contact you for information or money." The Justice Department reports scammers "claiming to be from the National Elder Fraud Hotline and threatening to file suits" against the people they call.

What federal rules say. The Telemarketing Sales Rule makes it an abusive practice for a seller or telemarketer to charge for recovery services before the money comes back:

"Requesting or receiving payment of any fee or consideration from a person for goods or services represented to recover or otherwise assist in the return of money or any other item of value paid for by, or promised to, that person in a previous transaction, until seven (7) business days after such money or other item is delivered to that person. This provision shall not apply to goods or services provided to a person by a licensed attorney;" (16 C.F.R. § 310.4(a)(3))

Two limits matter. The rule exempts goods or services "provided to a person by a licensed attorney," so it does not stop a real lawyer from charging a fee. And it covers telemarketing, which the rule defines as a campaign "conducted to induce the purchase of goods or services or a charitable contribution, by use of one or more telephones and which involves more than one interstate telephone call" (16 C.F.R. § 310.2), so it may not reach every pitch. The FTC's advice applies whatever the channel: "No matter how someone unexpectedly contacts you" (it lists mail, online, telephone, social media and text message), "don't pay upfront."

If you lost money to a recovery scam, the FTC says to report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general.

When a lawyer helps after a scam, and when one does not

Most people who lose a few hundred or a few thousand dollars to a scammer they cannot identify will usually not get value from hiring a lawyer. The steps that actually move money are the payment dispute and the fast reports above, and none of them requires a lawyer. A lawsuit against the scammer runs under state law (not covered here) and needs a defendant you can identify and serve, and a court judgment against someone you cannot find does not put money back in your account. Our guide to when a lawyer helps after a scam goes through each situation in more detail.

Government agencies will not act as your lawyer either. The SEC, for example, says that "the SEC cannot act as an investor's attorney or personal representative."

Counsel can matter in a few situations.

Your bank or card issuer will not follow the rules

If your bank has already said no, start with what to do when your bank refuses a scam refund.

If a bank, credit union or payment app refuses a valid unauthorized-transfer claim, or a card issuer ignores the billing-error rules, federal law gives you a claim against that company. Under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, a person who fails to comply is liable for "any actual damage sustained by such consumer as a result of such failure," statutory damages in an individual action of "not less than $100 nor greater than $1,000," and, "in the case of any successful action to enforce the foregoing liability, the costs of the action, together with a reasonable attorney's fee as determined by the court" (15 U.S.C. § 1693m(a)). That section excludes "an error resolved in accordance with section 1693f," and a lawsuit must be filed "within one year from the date of the occurrence of the violation" (15 U.S.C. § 1693m(g)).

The Truth in Lending Act, which includes the Fair Credit Billing Act's billing-error rules, similarly makes a creditor that fails to comply liable for "any actual damage sustained by such person as a result of the failure," plus statutory damages and, "in the case of any successful action to enforce the foregoing liability ..., the costs of the action, together with a reasonable attorney's fee as determined by the court" (15 U.S.C. § 1640(a)), with suit due "within one year from the date of the occurrence of the violation" (15 U.S.C. § 1640(e)).

Because a consumer who wins is awarded costs and a reasonable attorney's fee, these claims can make sense even when the loss is modest. They are claims against a company that broke the rules, not a general right to be repaid for any scam. Before you get there, ask the bank for its written explanation and the documents it relied on, which Regulation E requires it to provide on request (12 C.F.R. § 1005.11(d)(1)), and consider a complaint to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. The CFPB sends complaints to companies for a response and says "Most companies respond within 15 days." Mind the one-year limits while you wait.

Investment fraud involving a brokerage firm or broker

If your loss involved a brokerage firm or one of its brokers, FINRA arbitration may be available. FINRA Rule 12200 requires arbitration when it is "Required by a written agreement" or "Requested by the customer," the dispute "is between a customer and a member or associated person of a member," and it "arises in connection with the business activities of the member or the associated person." That means FINRA is not a route against a crypto website or a person who is not a FINRA member firm or associated person.

Timing is limited. Under FINRA Rule 12206, "No claim shall be eligible for submission to arbitration under the Code where six years have elapsed from the occurrence or event giving rise to the claim," and the rule "does not extend applicable statutes of limitations."

FINRA says "You should consider hiring an attorney to represent you during FINRA arbitration or mediation proceedings," but its staff "cannot endorse or recommend a specific attorney." For people who cannot afford a lawyer, FINRA lists law school securities arbitration clinics that represent "parties who lack the means to hire an attorney and who have smaller claims." The SEC likewise notes that "a law school arbitration/mediation clinic may be able to help you resolve a securities-related dispute free of charge."

Older adults and financial exploitation

Federal elder justice law defines an "elder" as "an individual age 60 or older," and "exploitation" as "the fraudulent or otherwise illegal, unauthorized, or improper act or process of an individual, including a caregiver or fiduciary, that uses the resources of an elder for monetary or personal benefit, profit, or gain, or that results in depriving an elder of rightful access to, or use of, benefits, resources, belongings, or assets" (42 U.S.C. § 1397j).

Two free routes come before any lawyer:

• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time, with English, Spanish and other languages. The Justice Department says "You will reach a case manager who will help you through the reporting process at the federal, state, and local levels."
• Adult Protective Services: a federal fact sheet describes APS as "a social service program authorized by law in every state to receive and investigate reports of elder or vulnerable adult maltreatment and to intervene to protect the victims to the extent possible." APS "can differ from state to state and even from county to county," so whether a scam by a stranger qualifies depends on your state. Find your office through NAPSA's help in your area page or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

When the person who took the money is someone the older adult knows, such as a caregiver or fiduciary (both named in the definition above), the wrongdoer can be identified, which is when a lawyer is more likely to help.

Immigration-related fraud

The Justice Department's immigration court agency (EOIR) explains that "Federal regulations at 8 C.F.R. § 1292.1(a)(4) allow non-attorney 'Accredited Representatives' to represent aliens before the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)." EOIR publishes a recognition and accreditation roster. If someone who offered immigration help took your money, see our guide to notario fraud.

Criminal cases: restitution and victims' rights

Many scams are federal crimes. The wire fraud statute makes it a crime to transmit communications "by means of wire, radio, or television communication in interstate or foreign commerce" to carry out "any scheme or artifice to defraud," punishable by fines and up to 20 years in prison, or up to 30 years when it affects a financial institution or involves disaster or emergency benefits (18 U.S.C. § 1343). Two federal laws give victims rights in those cases, whether or not they hire a lawyer.

• Restitution. When it sentences a defendant convicted of an offense "committed by fraud or deceit" in which "an identifiable victim or victims has suffered a physical injury or pecuniary loss," a federal court "shall order" restitution to the victim (18 U.S.C. § 3663A(a)(1), (c)(1)). This requires a conviction or a qualifying plea agreement, and the court may skip it where "the number of identifiable victims is so large as to make restitution impracticable" or where complex issues of fact would unduly prolong sentencing (18 U.S.C. § 3663A(c)(3)). An order to pay is not the same as payment.
• Victims' rights. The Crime Victims' Rights Act gives federal crime victims "The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law," "The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case," and "The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding" (18 U.S.C. § 3771(a)). The victim, the victim's lawful representative and the prosecutor may assert these rights (18 U.S.C. § 3771(d)(1)).

These rights depend on prosecutors bringing a case, which is one more reason to report.

How to find a lawyer or free legal help

• Lawyer referral services: the American Bar Association points to public-service lawyer referral services that help you find a lawyer.
• Legal aid: the Legal Services Corporation funds 129 legal aid organizations serving low-income Americans in every state, the District of Columbia and the territories, and its site lets you search for one near you. Ask whether they handle your kind of problem.
• Securities disputes: law school arbitration clinics, through FINRA's list (above).

Choose a lawyer you found yourself. The Telemarketing Sales Rule's limit on recovery fees does not apply to licensed attorneys, so a fee alone does not tell you who is real; who contacted whom is a better signal.

Lawyers and law firms that contact you first

Treat an unexpected offer from a lawyer or "recovery firm" as a warning sign. The FBI says: "Be cautious of law firms contacting you unexpectedly, especially if you have not reported the crime to any law enforcement or civil protection agencies." Its alert also flags anyone "Referring victims to a 'crypto recovery law firm,'" and anyone asking for payment "in cryptocurrency or prepaid gift cards." If you are approached, report it to the FBI at ic3.gov.

How common are scams? The 2025 numbers

FTC. "In 2025, the FTC received 3 million fraud reports from consumers, who reported $15.9 billion in losses," up from 2.6 million reports and over $12 billion the year before. Impostor scams were the most reported fraud, with more than 1 million reports and more than $3.5 billion in reported losses, while consumers "reported losing the most money ($7.9 billion) to investment scams in 2025."

FBI. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received 1,008,597 complaints in 2025 reporting $20.877 billion in losses, a 26% increase in losses from 2024, with an average loss of $20,699. "Investment-related fraud was once again the largest component of these losses, followed by business email compromises and tech support scams." People 60 and older filed 201,266 complaints reporting $7.7 billion in losses.

These are separate, self-reported datasets, so the two totals should not be added together, and neither counts every scam. The FTC says reported losses "are just a fraction of American consumers' actual losses since not every consumer who lost money to scams reported it to the FTC."

Help in Spanish (ayuda en español)

• Report fraud: ReporteFraude.ftc.gov is the FTC's Spanish-language reporting site.
• FTC guides in Spanish: Cómo evitar una estafa and Qué hacer si lo estafaron.
• Identity theft: RobodeIdentidad.gov is the Spanish version of IdentityTheft.gov.
• Fraud against people 60 and older: the National Elder Fraud Hotline, 833-372-8311, has Spanish available.

See also our guides to phone scams targeting Spanish speakers and notario fraud.

Scam and fraud laws by state

The federal refund and reporting rules on this page apply in every state. Your state adds its own layer: an attorney general or consumer office that takes complaints, a consumer protection law that may let you sue a business that deceived you (each law sets its own conditions, which depending on the state can include a loss of money or property, a purchase for personal, family or household use, or a written demand before you sue), protections for older adults and, in some states, rules for crypto ATMs.

The table below summarizes where to complain and the right to sue in each state guide we have published, with a link to the statute or official page each entry rests on. Each state name links to its full guide.

State-by-state comparison

Each state guide below is paired with the governing statute our editors adjudicated for it, held in our own legal record and verified against the official source.

State	Statute cited	Where to file a consumer complaint	Right to sue under state consumer law	Court citations
Alabama	Code of Alabama 1975, Title 8: Commercial Law and Consumer Protection. § 8-19-10 — Private Right of Action.	AG Consumer Interest Division form; mediation, not a lawsuit	Consumers: actual or $100, up to 3x; 15-day demand; 1-yr limit	—
Alaska	Alaska Statutes, Title 45. Trade and Commerce, Chapter 50. Competitive Practices, Regulation of Competition, Consumer Protection § 45.50.531 — Private and class actions	AG online complaint; informal mediation, no personal legal rep.	If loss: 3x actual damages or $500 (greater); fees to winner	58 opinions · latest 2026
Arizona	Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 44 (Trade and Commerce), Chapter 10 (COMPETITION AND COMPETITIVE PRACTICES), Article 7 (Consumer Fraud) § 44-1522 — Unlawful practices; intended interpretation of provisions	Attorney General online form; informal dispute resolution	Implied if damaged (Sellinger 1974); 1 yr from discovery	157 opinions · latest 2026
Arkansas	Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 4-88-113 — Civil enforcement and remedies — Suspension or forfeiture…	AG online complaint; mediates, not your lawyer	Loss from reliance: actual loss only; fees discretionary	—
California	California Civil Code § 1780	AG online complaint; DFPI for crypto kiosks	Consumers can sue (CLRA): fees to winner; 30-day notice	—
Colorado	Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 6: Consumer and Commercial Affairs § 6-1-113 — Civil actions - damages - other relief - class actions	Attorney General online form or 1-800-222-4444	Consumers: actual or $500; 3x if bad faith; public impact needed	45 opinions · latest 2026
Connecticut	Connecticut General Statutes, Title 42 (Business, Selling, Trading and Collection Practices), Chapter 735a § 42-110g — Action for damages. Class actions. Costs and fees.…	AG complaint; Consumer Assistance Unit 860-808-5420	Ascertainable loss (CUTPA): actual damages; 3 yrs; no treble	636 opinions · latest 2026
Delaware	Delaware Code, Title 6 (Commerce and Trade), Chapter 025 (PROHIBITED TRADE PRACTICES) § 2525 — Private cause of action; savings clause for private claims…	DOJ Consumer Protection Unit form or (800) 220-5424; mediates	Any victim may sue (CFA); 65+/disabled: damages, costs and fees	—
District of Columbia	Code of the District of Columbia, Title 28: Commercial Instruments and Transactions. - Chapter 39: Consumer Protection Procedures. § 28-3905 — Complaint procedures.	OAG Consumer and Tenant Response: free mediation, 202-442-9828	Consumers can sue a merchant: 3x or $1,500 per violation, fees	104 opinions · latest 2026
Florida	Florida Statutes § 501.211 — Other individual remedies.	Attorney General online form or 1-866-9-NO-SCAM	If you lost money: actual damages; fees to prevailing party	137 opinions · latest 2025
Georgia	Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 10-1-399 — Civil or equitable remedies by individuals.	AG Consumer Protection: mediates some; cannot force a refund	FBPA suit after 30-day demand; 3x only if intentional; fees	82 opinions · latest 2026
Hawaii	Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 480: MONOPOLIES; RESTRAINT OF TRADE § 480-13 — Suits by persons injured; amount of recovery, injunctions	OCP online complaint portal; investigates, not your lawyer	Consumers: greater of $1,000 or 3x damages, plus fees	109 opinions · latest 2025
Idaho	Idaho Code § 48-608 — Loss from purchase or lease — Actual and punitive damages	Attorney General online form; informal dispute resolution	Buyers/lessees: actual or $1,000, fees if win; 2-year limit	37 opinions · latest 2026
Illinois	Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 815, Act 505 (Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act) § 10a — Action for actual damages	AG Consumer Fraud Bureau complaint; IDFPR for crypto kiosks	Actual damage from a violation: may sue; no multiplier; 3 yrs	380 opinions · latest 2026
Indiana	Indiana Code, TITLE 24. TRADE REGULATION § 24-5-0.5-4 — Actions and proceedings; damages; injunctions; civil…	Attorney General online form or Spanish PDF; AG mediates	Consumer deals: actual or $500; up to 3x/$1,000 if willful	49 opinions · latest 2026
Iowa	Iowa Code, Chapter 714H: CONSUMER FRAUD § 714H.5 — Private right of action — damages — statute of limitations.	AG online form or 888-777-4590; AG is not your lawyer	Consumers can sue (714H); 3x only if willful and wanton	—
Kansas	Kansas Statutes Annotated, Chapter 50: UNFAIR TRADE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION § 50-634 — Private remedies.	AG online complaint form; investigates, mediates; not a lawyer	Consumers can sue (KCPA): damages or penalty up to $10,000	92 opinions · latest 2026
Kentucky	Kentucky Revised Statutes, Chapter 367: CONSUMER PROTECTION § 367.220 — Action for recovery of money or property -- When action may…	AG scam line 888-432-9257; mediates, not your private lawyer	Personal-use buyer with loss: actual damages; fees discretionary	124 opinions · latest 2026
Louisiana	Louisiana Revised Statutes § 51:1409 — Private actions	Crypto ATMs, money transmitters: written complaint to OFI	Anyone with a loss: damages; 3x if knowing after AG notice; 1 yr	208 opinions · latest 2026
Maine	Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SERVICES, Part 1: STATE DEPARTMENTS, Chapter 10: UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES § 213 — Private remedies	AG complaint form; may mediate with a business; not your lawyer	Household buyers who lost money: actual damages; fees if win	131 opinions · latest 2025
Maryland	Maryland Code, Commercial Law Article § 13-408	AG Consumer Protection portal or 410-528-8662; mediation	Any person: injury or loss; fees at court discretion; no 3x	19 opinions · latest 2026
Massachusetts	Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 93A § 9 — Civil actions and remedies; class action; demand for…	AG online complaint or Consumer Hotline (617) 727-8400	Trade injury (93A): 30-day demand; 2-3x if knowing/bad faith	1,043 opinions · latest 2026
Michigan	Michigan Compiled Laws § 445.911 — Action by person for declaratory judgment, injunction, or…	AG online form or 877-765-8388; mediates, not your lawyer	Business consumer-deal loss: actual or $250 plus fees; no treble	89 opinions · latest 2026
Minnesota	Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 325F: CONSUMER PROTECTION; PRODUCTS AND SALES § 325F.70 — REMEDIES	Commerce Dept. complaint portal; 651-539-1600 or 800-657-3602	Consumer in a personal-use sale: damages + attorney fees, no 3x	—
Mississippi	Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated § 75-24-15 — Action or counterclaim by individual suffering loss; class…	AG online complaint form; consumer mediators can help	Personal-use buyers: loss only; no plaintiff fees; no class suit	—
Missouri	Revised Statutes of Missouri, Title XXVI (TRADE AND COMMERCE), Chapter 407 § 407.025 — Civil action to recover damages — class actions authorized,…	AG online complaint; office mediates, gives no legal advice	Personal-use buyers hurt by a deceptive sale: actual damages	—
Montana	Montana Code Annotated, Title 30 § 30-14-133 — Damages -- Limitation On Residential Construction Disputes…	AG Office of Consumer Protection; forwards it to the business	Buyer-consumers: loss or $500; up to 3x if $100k or less; 2 yrs	—
Nebraska	Nebraska Revised Statutes, Chapter 59: MONOPOLIES AND UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT OF TRADE § 59-1609 — Civil action for damages	AG online scam/complaint form; voluntary dispute resolution	Injury to business/property: actual damages, fees; no treble	—
Nevada	Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 041: ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS IN PARTICULAR CASES CONCERNING PERSONS § 41.600 — Actions by victims of fraud.	AG online form (English/Spanish); AG does not represent you	Victims of consumer fraud as NRS 41.600 defines it may sue; fees	128 opinions · latest 2025
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, TITLE XXXI TRADE AND COMMERCE, CHAPTER 358-A REGULATION OF BUSINESS PRACTICES FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION § 358-A:10 — Private Actions.	Written complaint to AG Consumer Protection Bureau; no guarantee	Injured persons may sue if not exempt: $1,000 min; 2x-3x willful	—
New Jersey	New Jersey Statutes (Unannotated) § 56:8-19 — Action, counterclaim by injured person; recovery of…	Division of Consumer Affairs online complaint; may mediate	Ascertainable loss: court shall award 3x damages and fees (CFA)	275 opinions · latest 2026
New Mexico	New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978, Chapter 57 § 57-12-10 — Private remedies	AG (NMDOJ) online or paper form; investigates, not your lawyer	Buyer's loss: actual or $100; up to 3x if willful; fees if win	90 opinions · latest 2025
New York	New York General Business Law § 349 — Unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices unlawful	AG online complaint; Consumer Frauds Bureau mediates	Injured by deception: actual or $50; 3x to $1,000 if willful	2,747 opinions · latest 2026
North Carolina	North Carolina General Statutes, Chapter 75: Monopolies, Trusts and Consumer Protection. § 75-16 — Civil action by person injured; treble damages	AG online form or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM; mediates, not your lawyer	Injured by UDAP in commerce: can sue, treble; fees discretionary	320 opinions · latest 2026
North Dakota	North Dakota Century Code § 51-15-09 — Claims not barred	AG Consumer Protection complaint; it mediates; none anonymous	Any person; money taken by deceptive sale; up to 3x if knowing	11 opinions · latest 2020
Ohio	Ohio Revised Code § 1345.09 — Private causes of action	Attorney General online consumer complaint form	Consumers (CSPA): actual damages; 3x only if pre-declared	—
Oklahoma	Oklahoma Statutes, Title 15: CONTRACTS § 761.1 — Liability under Consumer Protection Act	AG Consumer Protection Unit; mediates complaints	Aggrieved consumer vs. business: actual damages + fees	—
Oregon	—	DOJ online complaint or Consumer Hotline 1-877-877-9392	Loss from willful business practice: actual or $200; 1 year	—
Pennsylvania	—	AG Bureau of Consumer Protection; mediates, not your lawyer	Personal-use buyer with loss: actual/$100; court may 3x + fees	—
Rhode Island	Rhode Island General Laws, Title 6: Commercial Law § 6-13.1-5.2 — Private and class actions	Attorney General online form or 401-274-4400 (prompt 1)	Personal-use buyers: greater of loss or $500; court may treble	—
South Carolina	South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 39: TRADE AND COMMERCE § 39-5-140 — Actions for damages	Dept. of Consumer Affairs mediates complaints, not the AG	Ascertainable loss: actual damages; 3x if willful; fees	—
South Dakota	South Dakota Codified Laws, Chapter 37-24: DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES AND CONSUMER PROTECTION § 37-24-31 — Action for damages brought by person adversely affected.	AG Consumer Protection online form; may mediate (20-day reply)	If harmed by a sales deception: actual damages only, no fees	14 opinions · latest 2021
Tennessee	Tennessee Code Annotated § 47-18-109 — Private right of action — Damages — Notice to attorney…	AG Consumer Affairs: mediates; cannot force a refund	Listed 104(b) practice loss: up to 3x if willful; 1-yr limit	271 opinions · latest 2026
Texas	Texas Business & Commerce Code § 17.50 — RELIEF FOR CONSUMERS	Attorney General online form; reviewed for info only	Consumers can sue (DTPA): up to 3x if knowing; 60-day notice	842 opinions · latest 2026
Utah	Utah Code, Title 13: Commerce and Trade § 13-11-19 — Actions by consumer.	Division of Consumer Protection online complaint; enforcement	Consumer transactions: actual damages + costs; no $2,000 floor	—
Vermont	Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 9: Commerce and Trade, Chapter 63: Consumer Protection, Subchapter: GENERAL PROVISIONS § 2461 — Civil penalty	AG Consumer Assistance Program: mediation; online scam form	Consumers who paid for goods/services: damages, fees, up to 3x	102 opinions · latest 2026
Virginia	Code of Virginia, Title 59.1: Trade and Commerce § 59.1-204 — Individual action for damages or penalty	AG online form; VA-chartered banks: SCC Bureau of Fin. Inst.	Loss from a supplier: $500 or actual; up to 3x if willful	—
Washington	Revised Code of Washington § 19.86.090 — Civil action for damages—Treble damages authorized—Action…	AG online complaint; informal resolution, cannot compel business	Business/property harm, win: damages+fees; optional 3x, $25k cap	529 opinions · latest 2026
West Virginia	—	AG Consumer Protection complaint; voluntary mediation	Buyers or lessees: actual loss or $200; 45-day notice first	—
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 100: Marketing; Trade Practices § 100.18 — Fraudulent representations.	DATCP online or mail complaint; staff contact the business	Loss caused by a 100.18 violation: loss plus costs and fees	215 opinions · latest 2026
Wyoming	Wyoming Statutes, Title 40 - Trade and Commerce - Chapter 12: Consumer Protection - Article 1: In General § 40-12-108 — Private remedies.	AG written complaint form; may forward to business	Consumer who relied: actual damages only; notice + 15-day cure	—

Each statute shown is the same adjudicated anchor its state guide renders, independently verified against primary sources. A dash means not yet adjudicated in our record — never that no law exists.

Related guides

• How to get money back after a scam: your rights by payment method
• Where to report a scam
• Phishing, smishing and vishing: what to do if you clicked
• Tech support and fake invoice scams
• Zelle and payment app scams
• What to do when your bank refuses a scam refund
• When a lawyer helps after a scam
• Government impersonation scams, romance scams, gift card scams and crypto and investment scams
• Sweepstakes and lottery scams, job and task scams, rental scams and sextortion scams
• Money mule and fake check scams and elder fraud
• What to do if a scammer has your information
• Identity theft laws and credit freeze vs. fraud alert
• AI voice scam calls
• What to do after a data breach
• Personal privacy action plan

Last updated: October 2, 2026.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information about US federal law as verified on October 2, 2026. It is not legal advice, and company policies described here can change at any time. For your specific situation, contact your bank, card issuer or payment company, the agency named above, or a lawyer licensed in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

I got scammed. What should I do first?

Stop paying and stop contact, then call the fraud line of the company you paid through, using a number you look up yourself, and ask it to stop or reverse the payment. Then report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for online scams, to the FBI at ic3.gov.

How can I tell if something is a scam?

The FTC's four signs: the person pretends to be from an organization you know, says there is a problem or a prize, pressures you to act immediately, and tells you to pay in a specific way, such as a gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or payment app.

Can I get my money back after a scam?

It depends on how you paid. Credit card charges and bank or debit transfers a scammer made without your authority have federal protections under Regulation Z and Regulation E; wires, gift cards, cryptocurrency and cash usually depend on speed and the company's own policy.

Will my bank refund money I sent to a scammer myself?

Not necessarily. Regulation E's definition of an unauthorized transfer covers transfers initiated by a person other than the consumer (12 C.F.R. § 1005.2(m)), so banks often treat your own payment as authorized. Some companies reimburse certain impostor scams by policy, so ask.

Does reporting a scam to the FTC get my money back?

No. The FTC's reporting site says it cannot resolve individual reports but uses them to investigate and bring cases. Getting money back runs through the company you paid, and for wires, a fast IC3 complaint can help the FBI work with banks to freeze funds.

Is a company offering to recover my scam losses legitimate?

The FTC says anyone who contacts you and asks for an upfront fee to recover lost money is a scammer. The Telemarketing Sales Rule bars telemarketers from charging for recovery until seven business days after the money is delivered, except for licensed attorneys (16 C.F.R. § 310.4(a)(3)).

Do I need a lawyer after being scammed?

Usually not for a small loss to a scammer you cannot identify. A lawyer can matter if a bank or card issuer will not follow federal error rules, since the EFTA and the Truth in Lending Act award costs and a reasonable attorney's fee in a successful action, and suits must be filed within one year (15 U.S.C. §§ 1693m, 1640).

Can I sue my bank for not refunding a fraudulent transfer?

If the bank failed to comply with the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, it is liable for actual damages, statutory damages of $100 to $1,000 in an individual action, and, in a successful action, costs and a reasonable attorney's fee, with suit due within one year of the violation (15 U.S.C. § 1693m).

Where can older adults get help after a scam?

The Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline, 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), helps people report fraud against anyone age 60 or older, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time, in English, Spanish and other languages. Adult Protective Services is another route in every state.

Can I report a scam in Spanish?

Yes. The FTC's Spanish reporting site is ReporteFraude.ftc.gov, its Spanish identity theft site is RobodeIdentidad.gov, and the National Elder Fraud Hotline offers Spanish.