Online Scams and Romance Fraud: Reporting, Recovering Money and Avoiding Recovery Scams

Online scams cost people billions each year, and victims are often too embarrassed to speak up. Reporting quickly improves the chance of recovery and helps stop the scammers.

Where to report

• The FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
• Your bank or payment provider immediately.
• The platform where the scam started.
• Your state attorney general.

Can you get money back?

Recovery depends on how you paid. Card payments may be disputed. Bank transfers and wires can sometimes be recalled if reported within hours. Gift cards, cryptocurrency and cash are very hard to recover. Always report right away, even if you think it is too late.

Common scam types

• Romance scams that build trust and then ask for money.
• Investment and cryptocurrency scams.
• Fake tech support and refund scams.
• Job and rental scams.
• Impersonation of government agencies or family members.

Recovery scams

After a loss, scammers pose as lawyers, investigators or government agents and promise to recover your money for an upfront fee. Real agencies do not charge to recover scam losses. Be suspicious of anyone who contacts you offering recovery help.

Protecting accounts after a scam

If you shared passwords, codes or personal data, change them, enable multi-factor authentication and consider a credit freeze. If you gave remote access to your computer, disconnect it and get it checked.

Emotional impact and support

Scam victims often feel shame, but fraud is a crime and the fault lies with the scammer. Talk to someone you trust and seek support services if needed. Families can help by listening without blame.

Legal options

Civil suits against anonymous overseas scammers are rarely practical. Reporting helps law enforcement build cases. If a financial institution or platform acted negligently, a lawyer can evaluate whether claims are possible.

Real-life scenarios

1. A victim of a romance scam reports to the FTC and their bank and stops sending money.
2. A person who paid by wire contacts the bank within hours to request a recall.
3. A victim avoids a recovery scam after learning that real agencies do not charge fees.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sending more money to recover losses.
• Paying upfront fees to recovery services.
• Waiting to report.
• Deleting messages and receipts.
• Sharing remote access.
• Keeping the scam secret from family.

Questions to ask a professional

• How did I pay and can it be disputed?
• Where should I report?
• Should I freeze my credit?
• Is a lawyer worth it for my loss?
• How can I avoid a second scam?

A practical action plan

1. Stop all contact and payments.
2. Contact your bank or card issuer.
3. Report to the FTC and IC3.
4. Secure accounts and freeze credit.
5. Keep evidence and watch for recovery scams.

Terms you may hear

• Romance scam: fraud using a fake relationship.
• Pig butchering: a long con combining romance and fake investments.
• Wire recall: a request to reverse a transfer.
• Recovery scam: a second fraud targeting past victims.
• IC3: the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Preserving evidence before it disappears

Screenshot profiles, messages, payment receipts, wallet addresses and website addresses before accounts are deleted. Save emails with full headers. Law enforcement and your bank can use these details, even when the scammer has vanished.

Reporting to the payment channel

Contact the company you paid through, whether a bank, card issuer, payment app, gift card company or crypto exchange, and ask for a fraud report and recall. Speed matters, so do this before filing other reports. Ask for a reference number.

Staying safe after the loss

Expect follow-up contacts from scammers or recovery fraudsters, and block and report them. Tell trusted family or friends so that someone can help you spot new approaches. If you feel overwhelmed or hopeless, reach out to a counselor or support line.

Frequently asked questions