Scam recovery · UK and US
Scammed? What to do now, by how you paid
Act today. Contact your bank or card provider straight away using a number you trust (159 in the UK), stop all contact with the scammer, and report it: to Report Fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Police Scotland on 101, or ReportFraud.ftc.gov in the US. What you can get back depends on how you paid, so pick your payment method below.
Rules, contacts and time limits checked against official sources on .
UK first call
159
reaches your bank
UK reimbursement
£85,000
bank transfer scams, claim within 13 months
US report
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
and IC3 for online crime
Guides
15
by payment method
Guides and definitions
- How to file a CFPB complaint, what happens next and does it work (Guide)
- Section 75 or chargeback: which should you use to get your money back? (Guide)
- Zelle scams: how they work, what they look like and how to spot them (Guide)
- APP fraud reimbursement (APP fraud reimbursement makes UK banks refund victims of authorised push payment scams up to £85,000 for Faster Payments and CHAPS transfers made on or after 7 October 2024.)
- Chargeback (A chargeback asks your card provider to reverse a debit or credit card payment under Visa, Mastercard or American Express rules, usually within about 120 days.)
- Ombudsman (An ombudsman is a free, independent body that settles complaints against companies or public bodies once the organisation has had its chance to put things right.)
- Phishing (Phishing is a scam email, text or call designed to trick you into visiting a fake website, giving away personal or bank details, or installing malware.)
- Regulation E (Regulation E is the US federal rule that limits your liability for unauthorized debit card and electronic transfers to $50 or $500 if you report them in time.)
UK: how did you pay?
US: how did you pay?
Common questions
Can I get my money back after a scam?
Often, but it depends on how you paid. In the UK, bank transfers made from 7 October 2024 are covered by mandatory reimbursement up to £85,000 if you claim within 13 months. Credit cards have section 75 and chargeback. In the US, card and unauthorised transfers have legal protections; money you sent yourself by wire or app often does not.
Who do I report a scam to?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report to Report Fraud, which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. In the US, report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to the FBI at ic3.gov for internet crime. Tell your bank first, because speed matters most for recovering money.
Someone says they can recover my money for a fee. Is it real?
Almost certainly not. Recovery scams target people who have already lost money, often claiming to be from a law firm, regulator or police unit. Real banks, police and regulators do not charge you to recover money. Do not pay anyone upfront, and check any firm on the FCA Register or with the FTC.
Sources and assumptions
- General steps from official guidance.
- Payment Systems Regulator: APP fraud reimbursement protections
- GOV.UK: Report Fraud
- FTC: What to do if you were scammed
Guidance to help you act quickly, not legal advice.