Paid a scammer with gift cards (US): what to do now

1. Stop dealing with the scammer

Do not send more money, share codes or install anything they ask for, even if they promise a refund or say you owe a fee. Save their messages and numbers first, then stop replying and block them. Time limit: Now. The FTC warns that people who have paid a scammer are often targeted again with offers to get the money back for an upfront fee. Keeping the messages gives your bank and the police the evidence they ask for.

2. Contact the gift card company

Call the number on the back of the card or use the FTC's list. Say a scammer tricked you into giving them the card number and PIN, and ask for a refund. Keep the card and the receipt. Contact: Gift card company (FTC contact list) (consumer.ftc.gov/articles/avoiding-and-reporting-gift-card-scams#contact). Or the number on the back of the card. Time limit: Today, however long ago it happened. Some companies can freeze money still on the card, and the FTC says to report no matter how long ago the scam happened.

3. Report it to the FTC

Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Include how you paid, the amount and the scammer's details. Contact: Federal Trade Commission (reportfraud.ftc.gov). Time limit: Within a few days. The FTC uses reports to build cases and warn others.

Keep this evidence

Screenshots of every message, email, advert and website, including the sender's number or address. Statements or app screens showing each payment, with the date, amount and recipient. Transaction or confirmation numbers, and for crypto the wallet address and transaction ID. Gift cards and store receipts. A timeline in your own words: when contact started, what you were told and when you paid. Your FTC report number and any IC3 complaint ID, and notes of every call with your bank.

Protect yourself now

Change the password on your email first, then banking, then any account that shares a password. Remove any remote access app the scammer asked you to install and run a security scan. Turn on two-factor authentication. Warn family and friends if the scammer had access to your contacts or social media. Check your statements and free credit reports for accounts you do not recognise. Only call your bank on the number on your card or statement.

Watch out for recovery scams

Scammers buy lists of people who have already been scammed, then call, text or write offering to recover the money for an upfront fee. The FTC calls these refund and recovery scams. Government agencies and legitimate organisations will never ask for money to help you get a refund, and will not guarantee you get your money back. Anyone who asks for an upfront fee, your account numbers, or payment by gift card, crypto, wire or payment app to recover a loss is a scammer.

Guides and definitions

• How to file a CFPB complaint, what happens next and does it work (Guide)
• Zelle scams: how they work, what they look like and how to spot them (Guide)
• 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.)

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If you paid another way

• Bank transfer or wire (US)
• Debit card (US)
• Credit card (US)
• Zelle, Venmo, Cash App or PayPal (US)
• Cryptocurrency (US)
• Cash, check or other (US)
• Gave bank details, passwords or a one-time code (US)

The same in the UK · All scam recovery guides · Get your own plan with real dates

Common questions