Scam Recovery Planner

Sent money to a scammer? Get an ordered, dated plan for the UK or US: who to call first, the official numbers, and the real deadlines for claims and disputes.

Reviewed by Dany, RightSums team · Updated

Runs in your browser. Free, no sign-up.

personal-finance · Daily life · UK & US

Choose the UK or the US, how the money or information went and the date it happened. The planner lists what to do in order, starting with the steps that can still freeze money, and gives each one the official contact, the time limit as a real date and the reason it matters. UK plans cover 159, the £85,000 APP reimbursement limit and its 13-month claim window, chargeback, section 75, Report Fraud and the Financial Ombudsman. US plans cover Regulation E's 2 business days and 60 days, the Fair Credit Billing Act, ReportFraud.ftc.gov, IC3 and credit freezes. You also get an evidence checklist, steps to secure your accounts and a warning about recovery scams. It cannot promise a refund; your bank decides that.

Accepted inputs

  • Country: UK or US (follows the site region by default)
  • How the money or information went: bank transfer, debit card, credit card, PayPal or payment app, crypto, gift cards, cash or cheque, shared bank details or codes, remote access
  • Date it happened (the last payment if there were several)
  • Amount lost (optional)
  • Whether the scammer is still in contact

Outputs

  • Numbered action plan in the order to do it
  • Official contact for each step: phone number, email or website
  • Each time limit as a real date, with days left or passed
  • Why each step matters, with its official source
  • Evidence checklist
  • Protect yourself now list
  • Recovery scam warning
  • Copy plan and Print buttons

How to use the Scam Recovery Planner

  1. Choose your country, how the money or information went and the date it happened, and tick the box if the scammer is still contacting you.
  2. The planner puts the steps in order, starting with calling your bank or the app, because money still in the scammer's account can sometimes be frozen.
  3. Each time limit is worked out from your date: 13 months for UK bank transfer claims, around 120 days for a chargeback, and 2 business days or 60 days under US rules.
  4. Copy or print the plan, tick off each step as you go, and keep the evidence checklist to hand when you call your bank, the police or the FTC.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first if I sent money to a scammer?

Call your bank straight away. In the UK, dial 159 or use the number on your card; in the US, use the number on your card or statement. Ask them to stop or recover the payment. Then report it to the police in the UK, or to the FTC in the US.

How long do I have to claim back a bank transfer scam in the UK?

You must claim within 13 months of the payment. If you paid a scammer by bank transfer on 25 September 2026, the planner shows a deadline of 25 October 2027. The Payment Systems Regulator sets a maximum of £85,000 per claim for Faster Payments and CHAPS.

Will my bank refund me if I was scammed?

It depends on how you paid. UK bank transfers since 7 October 2024 are covered by mandatory reimbursement unless you were complicit or grossly negligent. Card payments have chargeback and section 75. In the US, payments you sent yourself are generally not covered by Regulation E. The bank decides.

How many days do I have to report a debit card scam in the US?

Report within 2 business days of finding out to cap your loss at $50 under Regulation E. If card details were stolen on Friday 25 September 2026, the planner shows Tuesday 29 September 2026. After that the cap rises to $500, and you must report within 60 days of the statement.

Is someone offering to recover my money for a fee a scam?

Yes, almost always. The FCA calls these recovery room scams and the FTC calls them refund and recovery scams. They target people who have already lost money. The Financial Ombudsman Service is free, and government agencies never charge a fee to get your money back.

Sources

The rates and rules in this tool come from:

Guides that use this tool

Terms explained

  • 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.
  • Section 75: Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes your credit card provider jointly liable with the seller for a single item costing over £100 and up to £30,000.

What to do after a scam, by how you paid

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