If you already sent money
The FTC recommends contacting the company used to send the payment immediately, explaining the fraud, and asking whether it can reverse the transaction. Use contact details from your bank, payment app, or card issuer's official website or app.
Keep relevant receipts and transaction information. Recovery is not guaranteed. The FTC's guide explains different steps for cards, payment apps, bank transfers, gift cards, cash, and cryptocurrency.
If an account or identity was exposed
If you gave away a password and still have access, the FTC recommends changing it and turning on two-factor authentication. Its guide links to account-recovery and identity-theft resources for other circumstances.
Report through official channels
Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Cyber-enabled crime can also be reported through the FBI's IC3 website. Use the official sites directly, rather than a link supplied by the person demanding money.
Source: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed, FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
Help someone without adding shame
Start with 'Let's look at the next step together.' Ask what has happened and whether money or account access was involved. Let the person retain their dignity while you help them find the relevant official guidance.
Love a Life shares awareness resources. We do not promise financial recovery or offer a paid fund-recovery service through this website.
Published by Love a Life. External resources checked October 22, 2026.