Take a beat before sending money
Scammers may impersonate a bank, government office, delivery service, employer, friend, or family member. Caller ID, profile photos, and familiar voices can be spoofed or copied. Don’t treat them as verification.
Verify independently
- Hang up or stop replying. Find the organization’s official contact details separately, such as from its app, a card, or a prior statement.
- If a friend or family member asks for money, contact them using a number you already know. Ask a question only they would know if appropriate.
- Ask a second trusted person to review an unusual request. Don’t let the requester isolate or rush you.
- Check payment details carefully. Transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, and payment apps can be difficult to reverse; a request for them deserves extra scrutiny.
If you already paid
Contact the bank, card issuer, payment app, or transfer service immediately using its official contact route. Explain that you may have been deceived and ask whether they can stop, recall, or dispute the payment. Save receipts and messages. Recovery is not guaranteed, but reporting quickly may preserve options.
Be cautious of anyone who promises to recover your money for an upfront fee. That can be another scam. Avoid sharing account passwords, remote access, or one-time codes with anyone offering help.
More help from official sources
- FTC: What to do if you were scammed (United States consumer guidance)
- FBI: Common frauds and scams (United States agency information)
Scambaba is independent and cannot recover funds or investigate reports. Contact local authorities or consumer-protection services where you live.