I sent money to a scammer by wire or gift card, can I get it back
Use the free tool — Hacked Help
This happens to smart, careful people every day
You sent money by wire transfer or bought gift cards for someone who turned out to be a scammer. The next hour matters more than how you feel right now. Move in the right order and you will have done everything that can be done.
Do this first — the next 15 minutes
- If you sent a wire transfer, call your bank right now. Use the number printed on your card or on the back of your statement — never a number from a text or email, even one that claims to be from your bank.
- If you bought gift cards and handed over the codes, call the retailer that issued the cards, using the number on the back of the card. Ask them to flag the codes as fraud immediately.
- Do not call any number the scammer gave you, and do not contact any "account recovery service" that reaches out to you — those are almost always a second scam.
Within the hour
- File a report at ic3.gov, the FBI's fraud portal. Money-transfer scams reported fast are sometimes reversible — speed is what makes the difference.
- Write down everything while it's fresh: dates, amounts, phone numbers, gift card codes, and any names the scammer used. Your bank and IC3 will both ask for this.
- If you also gave up a one-time verification code or your Social Security number, freeze your credit at all three bureaus — it's free and takes minutes: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. Then start a recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov, the FTC's official tool — it builds the affidavit banks accept.
Cleanup — the next few days
- Watch your bank and card statements closely for anything else unfamiliar.
- Keep your IC3 report number and any case number your bank gives you.
- If a recovery plan was opened at IdentityTheft.gov, follow its steps in order.
What we don't know, and why we're careful
Reversals for wire transfers and gift cards are only sometimes possible, and only when reported fast. We don't know your bank's specific policy or whether your case qualifies. This is general security guidance, not legal or financial advice, and it can be wrong. For active theft, work directly with your bank and with law enforcement — confirm everything with them directly.
What to do next
Describe what happened — wire, gift card, or both — and get the exact sequence for your situation, in the right order, with the official links above. The free tool reads your own numbers and details; nothing you type is stored.
Hacked Help provides general security guidance; it can be wrong and it is not legal or financial advice. For active theft, work directly with your bank and law enforcement. Nothing you type is stored.