I sent money: what to do in the first hour

You realize you've sent money to a scammer. Time is critical. Follow these steps immediately to maximize your chances of recovery and limit further damage.

1. Contact Your Bank or Payment App

Call your bank, credit card company, or the payment app (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App) you used IMMEDIATELY. Use the phone number on the back of your card. Report the transaction as fraudulent and ask to reverse the charge or stop the payment. The sooner you call, the higher the chance they can help.

2. Report to the Platform

If the scam originated on a social media site (Facebook, Instagram), marketplace (Craigslist, eBay), or app, report the scammer's profile and the fraudulent transaction directly on that platform. This can help get their account removed and protect others.

3. File an Official Report

File a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. These reports create a paper trail and help authorities track and stop scammers, even if they can't recover your specific funds.

4. Secure Your Accounts

Immediately change the password for the account where the transaction occurred and any other accounts that use the same password. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) and review your financial statements closely for any further unauthorized activity.