My neighbor Walt called me on a Thursday evening, and I barely recognized his voice. "Bob, I think I did something really stupid." An hour earlier, he'd bought $1,500 in gift cards at the drugstore and read the numbers to a man who said he was from the Social Security office and that Walt's benefits would be frozen unless he paid a "verification fee."
By the time Walt hung up, he knew. And the first thing he wanted to do was sit in his recliner and replay every word of that call, looking for the moment he should have caught it.
Well, folks, I told him what I'll tell you. The replay can wait. Right now there are phone calls to make, and the faster you make them, the better your chances.
What should I do right away if I sent money to a scammer?
In plain words, three steps. First, call the company you used to pay, like your bank, your credit card company, the gift card company, or the payment app, and tell them it was fraud. Use the number on your card or their official website. Second, lock down any account the scammer could reach by changing passwords and asking the company to secure it. Third, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The FTC's guide on what to do if you were scammed has specific steps for each kind of payment. I'll be honest with you: getting money back isn't guaranteed. But acting fast gives you the best shot.
How do I try to get money back for each type of payment?
Here's who to call, in plain words. If you paid with a credit or debit card, call the card company and ask to dispute the charge. For a wire or bank transfer, call your bank and ask them to recall the transfer. For a payment app, report it in the app and call your bank too. For gift cards, call the company that issued the card, and keep the card and receipt. For cryptocurrency, contact the company you used to send it. Have the amount, date, and any receipts ready.
Walt called the gift card company's number on the back of the card. Because he called within the hour, they were able to freeze $900 that hadn't been spent yet.
What if the scammer got my personal information?
If you shared your Social Security number, bank login, or Medicare number, go to IdentityTheft.gov. It builds a step-by-step recovery plan for your situation. A free credit freeze is a smart move too. And if you let someone connect to your computer, disconnect it from the internet and have it checked before banking on it again.
How do I avoid a second scam?
Watch out, because scammers often come back. A "recovery company" or someone claiming to be from the government may call and promise to get your money back for a fee. That's another scam. Real agencies don't charge you to recover stolen money.
Keep a simple notebook: who you called, the date, and any case numbers. And ask someone you trust to sit with you while you make the calls. The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 offers free support from trained volunteers, too.
Please don't blame yourself
Scammers are professionals. They practice their lines every day on thousands of people. Smart, careful people get fooled every single day. Being scammed doesn't mean you're foolish. It means someone worked very hard to lie to you.
Walt got $900 back and lost $600. It stung. But he told his story at our church's coffee hour, and two people said the same caller had tried them that week. They hung up because of Walt. That's worth something. If a "bank" ever calls you, read why your bank will never ask you to move money.
Has a scam ever happened to you or someone you love? Tell us in the comments what helped afterward, folks. Your story might help someone else act fast.
