Money has been sent
Contact the bank or payment provider now.
Do not send another payment, even if somebody says it will release your money, pay tax or complete a refund. The provider that moved the money is the first place to contact.
Do these first
Stop, contact and preserve.
- Stop all further payments and end contact with the person who directed you.
- Tell the bank or payment provider clearly that you believe you were deceived into making a payment.
- Ask whether the payment can be stopped, recalled or treated as a scam claim. A refund is not automatic; the provider must assess what happened.
- Keep messages, names, telephone numbers, account details, receipts, wallet addresses and transaction references.
- If login or card details were shared, secure those accounts through their genuine apps or websites.
Bank transfer
Ask the bank to register a scam claim.
Give the bank the receiving account details, amount, time and payment reference. Explain how you were persuaded to pay and whether the person is still contacting you.
UK reimbursement rules cover many eligible Faster Payments authorised-push-payment scams, but exclusions and conditions apply. The bank should explain its decision and complaint route; do not assume either that a refund is guaranteed or that a refusal is final.
Card payment
Contact the card issuer and protect the card.
Tell the issuer whether you authorised a purchase after being deceived, or whether the card was used without your permission. Ask whether the card should be frozen or replaced and which dispute or recovery process applies.
Check recent transactions and any merchant subscriptions, but do not cancel evidence or correspondence that may help the claim.
Cryptocurrency
Contact the exchange through its official support route.
Keep the wallet address, transaction ID, exchange account and screenshots. Crypto transfers may be difficult or impossible to reverse, but the exchange can record the report and advise on any available account action.
Do not pay a recovery company, supposed investigator or lawyer who contacts you unexpectedly and promises to retrieve the funds for a fee.
Another payment method
Contact every legitimate provider involved.
For a gift card, money-transfer service, cash deposit or online wallet, contact the genuine issuer or provider promptly with the receipt and reference. They may be able to freeze value that has not yet been redeemed or collected, but this cannot be promised.
Reporting and support
The bank claim and police report are separate.
- England, Wales or Northern IrelandReport the fraud through Report Fraud.
- ScotlandReport to Police Scotland online or on 101.
- Emotional or practical supportVictim Support can help whether or not the crime has been reported.
- Follow-up contactTreat unsolicited recovery offers as another scam risk. Keep talking to the provider and police through routes you initiated.
Sources checked
- Payment Systems Regulator — APP scams and consumer action
- MoneyHelper — what to do after a scam
- Report Fraud — reporting and support
Reviewed 29 August 2026. Payment recovery depends on the method and facts; follow the provider’s current instructions.