How To Get Money Back After Being Scammed Online
You found a great investment opportunity and put in your hard-earned pay only to discover it was actually a scam. Can you somehow recover your money or is it lost for good? On this page, we cover how to get money back after being scammed online.
We have also published a complete guide on how to report a scammer online.
Recovering money lost to online scams
First of all, realize that often you CAN get your money back after you’ve been scammed.
A mistake a lot of online scam victims make is believing that online scams are anonymous and there’s no way to track the scammers, so they just give up.
Don’t make this mistake. Know that online businesses nowadays are no different than physical businesses. Just as you would not give up after being scammed by a physical business, you should never give up when an online business defrauds you.
That being said, how you should act and whether or not you’ll get a refund depends on what happened.
For example, if you see an unauthorized payment in your bank account or credit card bill, then you should immediately contact your bank/credit card company and inform them of that. If they detect a fraudulent transaction they will be able to reverse the charge.
If however, you have purchased something from a scammer, you can request a chargeback through your payment provider (e.g., PayPal, credit card company, bank).
We’re experts in recovering money from online scams, so feel free to contact us with the specific details and we will be happy to guide you free of charge!
Scammed Online How To Get Money Back – Instructions by Payment Method
What payment method did you use?
Credit/debit card – Contact the card company or bank that issued the card and tell them the charge was fraudulent charge. Request to reverse the transaction and give you your money back.
Bank transfer – Contact the bank and tell them that the transaction was unauthorized. Request that they reverse the transaction and give you your money back.
Gift card – Contact the company that issued the gift card. Request a refund, explaining that the card was used fraudulently.
Wire transfer – Contact the wire transfer company (e.g., the bank, MoneyGram, Western Union, etc.) and request a reversal of the wire transfer, explaining that you have been scammed by the recipient of the money.
Money transfer app – Contact the company behind the money transfer app and request a reversal of the payment, explaining that it was a fraudulent transaction. If the app is linked to your debit/credit card, make sure to also report the fraud to the card company or bank.
Cryptocurrency (e.g., Bitcoin) – While many people believe that cryptocurrency payments are not reversible and that once you pay with cryptocurrency, you can only get your money back if the scammer sends it back, we are experts on tracing cryptocurrency transfers and can often locate the recipient of the money. We also have connections with law enforcement and can make sure your money is returned to you. Contact us for a free consultation.
Cash – Contact the delivery service (e.g. U.S. mail) you used to deliver the cash and contact them requesting to intercept the package.
How To Get Money Back From Scammer – Step-by-Step Guide
If you realize you have been scammed, here are the steps you should take to maximize your chances of getting your money back.
- Remain calm
- Collect all documents and information related to the scam and the transaction. This includes social media chat logs, screenshots of your interaction with the scammer, the scammer’s contact information, their website, emails, text messages, receipts, bank records, credit card statements, etc.
- Write a chronological summary of your interactions with the scammer. Be as detailed as possible and include the specific amounts of money transferred. If you know or suspect where the scammer is located, include that information as well.
- Consult with the instructions in the previous section to find out who you need to contact (e.g., your bank, credit card company, a payment service provider such as PayPal, or a cryptocurrency recovery service.
- Make the phone call and provide any information you are asked for in a calm manner. Ask how you can submit the physical documentation. Record the name/identification number of the representative you talk to, and their direct number, if they have one. If possible, record the call or request that a written confirmation of the conversation is mailed to you.
- Following the initial call, you may be asked to provide additional information.
- If you don’t hear back or get your money back within 30 days, follow up.
- If your claim is refused or you need help, feel free to contact us since we offer free consultations as well as assistance with the recovery of scammed cryptocurrency.
How Do I Get My Money Back From A Scammer – Warning!
One of the worst types of scams is a Refund and Recovery scam.
These are scams that target people who already have been scammed!
Fake recovery companies advertise their services, making you believe that they will help you get your money back from a scam.
They can also find victims by buying email lists from other scammers. These lists contain email addresses and other contact information of scam victims.
Sometimes it can even be the same scammer who got you once, contacting you again from a different email address or phone number, offering you their fake money recovery service.
Often the company which has scammed you will contact you and say they are offering refunds to dissatisfied customers. They just need to charge you a processing fee and then they will be able to release the money to you.
In this type of scam, you will be asked to pay some upfront money, which may be termed a
- shipment and handling charge
- administrative charge
- processing fee
- retainer fee
- donation
- tax
You pay them and then they disappear with your money, not providing the service.
These scammers have a way of making you think you can trust them. For example, they may claim to be working for a government agency or a law firm. They might even set up a fake website to back their claims.
The problem is that even legitimate recovery firms will charge you an upfront fee for their services. How to tell if you’re dealing with a legitimate company or with a scam?
First, a legitimate recovery company will not come to you. They will not contact you “out of the blue,” via cold calling. The way it works is that the scammed person searches for a recovery company and contacts them first.
How To Recover Money From A Scammer – The Bottom Line
Getting money back from an online scam may look difficult or even impossible, but in reality, it is pretty straightforward and achievable.
Even for cryptocurrency transactions, it is definitely possible to trace the perpetrators and recover your money.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to get your money back after being scammed online. If not, be sure to contact us with any questions you may have.
If you have been scammed, make sure to contact us for a free consultation or check out our Recommended Scam Recovery Services!