My parent sent money to a scammer: what to do next
Contact the bank or payment provider immediately through a trusted route, explain the scam and ask whether the payment can be stopped or recovered. End contact with the scammer. Save transaction details and messages, but do not delay the payment-provider call to assemble a perfect report.
Priority draft corrections reviewed October 13, 2026. Earlier source dates below remain applicable; no independent clinician review or hands-on product testing.
AI-assisted educational guide based on the sources linked below. Apply instructions for your specific device, provider and situation; emergency responders’ instructions take priority.
Who should we contact first?
Contact the institution that handled the payment: the bank or card issuer for bank and card payments, the payment app or wire service for transfers, or the gift-card issuer for gift cards. Explain accurately whether your parent sent the payment or someone made it without permission. Ask about reversal, refund and securing affected accounts. Recovery is not guaranteed. FTC: payment-specific recovery steps.
Use the number on the card or a known official app or website. Do not use a “fraud department” number supplied by the person who requested money. If a transfer is still pending, say so immediately.
Report immediately. For unauthorized electronic transfers, notifying the bank within two business days after discovering the loss or theft of a debit card, PIN or security/access code can limit your liability. Also notify the bank within 60 days after it sent the first statement showing the unauthorized transfer. Report even if you think a deadline has passed: extenuating circumstances can extend reporting periods. Ask about required written follow-up and deadlines. These are not universal refund rules for every scam payment.
CFPB: reporting clocks and exceptions.
- Bank or Zelle: contact the sending bank/credit union; ask whether a qualifying imposter-scam process applies.
- Card: contact the issuer. Payment app: contact official app support and the linked bank/card issuer if affected.
- Wire service or gift card: contact that provider. Cryptocurrency: contact the exchange/ATM operator; recovery is difficult and never assured.
- Mailed or courier cash: ask the carrier about interception.
If the device is compromised, use a different trusted device for banking and recovery. Do not postpone the urgent call to gather perfect evidence.
What should my parent say on the call?
- Record the department, case number and time of the call.
- Ask which transactions or accounts need further review.
- Ask how to send evidence securely and when to follow up.
- Confirm instructions through the provider’s official channel.
If your parent wants you on the call, ask the institution how to include you. Being their adult child does not automatically authorize account access.
Tell the provider who entered the payment, who pressed send, whether someone controlled the device remotely, and whether a password or verification code was obtained by deception. Do not assume that sharing a code means you authorized every later transfer. Ask for the claim process and decision in writing.
The button press alone does not determine legal authorization; give an accurate account of what happened. CFPB: unauthorized electronic transfers.
What evidence is worth keeping?
Keep the message thread, profile or website address, transaction reference, dates and relevant receipts. For gift cards, retain the card and receipt. Store the record privately; do not upload bank statements, codes or identity documents to social media for advice.
Make a short timeline in your parent’s words. Mark what is known and what is uncertain. You can add detail later. Avoid contacting the scammer to obtain more evidence or arguing about whether they will repay you.
| Record | Your private notes |
|---|---|
| Provider and verified contact route | ________________________________ |
| Case reference / call date / action taken | ________________________________ |
| Evidence and written follow-up deadline | ________________________________ |
| Expected response date | ________________________________ |
| Chosen follow-up owner / next action | ________________________________ |
| Written determination requested if denied or unclear | ________________________________ |
How do we report it and protect exposed information?
Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For identity misuse, IdentityTheft.gov provides a recovery plan. A report is separate from the urgent call to the payment provider. If passwords or remote computer access were involved, follow our tech-support guide below.
These are US resources. If there is an immediate physical threat, call 911; otherwise use the appropriate local authorities for threats or suspected crimes.
Should we hire someone promising to get the money back?
Be wary of people who approach you offering recovery, especially if they want upfront fees or sensitive information. Scammers may target people who have already lost money. The FTC warns about refund and recovery scams; no one here can promise a recovery.
Start with “Thank you for telling me; let’s make the next call together.” Agree on who follows up and what support your parent wants. After the immediate steps, use a calm family check-in to decide what would make it easier to ask for a second opinion next time.
Continue when you are ready
Sources and method: Source links sit beside the guidance they support. We distinguish official guidance and research findings from our suggested checklists, conversation prompts and planning examples. Those practical tools are not validated clinical assessments. No product purchase is required. Our editorial standards · Report an error or outdated guidance.