Scammer payback: why hitting back isn't the answer and what to do instead
Quick answer
Searching for scammer payback usually means you were scammed, or a scammer keeps contacting you. The FTC's advice is to act on the money and the data: contact the payment company, secure your accounts, and report the scammer at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Reviewed by Anthon Wansland
Head of Product & Co-Founder
Serus is a privacy company with paid tools to find and remove your personal data. This page is free and based on official sources.
How it works
Most people who search for scammer payback have just been contacted by a scammer, or already lost money to one. The urge to get even is normal. The practical question is what gets your money and your accounts back, and what helps stop the scammer.
The FTC says scammers contact people by phone, email, text message and social media to get money or sensitive personal information such as Social Security or account numbers. They ask you to pay in ways that make them hard to track down, so your money might already be gone. It's still worth asking the company you used to send it whether it can be reversed.
Reporting is the part the FTC says does something: it uses reports to build cases against scammers, spot trends, educate the public and share data about what is happening in your community.
Sources checked: consumer.ftc.gov
Last verified against the official page:
Red flags
- Someone contacts you out of the blue and says they're from an organization you know
- They say there's a problem with your account or a prize waiting for you
- They pressure you to act right now and tell you not to hang up
- They insist you pay by gift card, wire transfer, payment app or cryptocurrency
- They ask you to deposit a check and send money back
Example message
Hello, this is the fraud department. We've noticed a problem with your account. Call [phone number] right away to confirm your details or your account will be closed.
What to do
- 1
Contact the company you paid with, right away
Zelle or bank transfer: tell your bank or credit union and ask them to reverse the payment. Payment app (Venmo, Cash App, PayPal): report it to the app. Wire transfer: report it to the wire company. Credit or debit card: call the number on the back of the card. Gift card: contact the issuer using the number on the card and keep the card and receipt.
- 2
If you paid with crypto or cash, report that too
For cryptocurrency, contact the exchange or ATM operator and tell them it was fraud. The FTC notes crypto payments don't have the same legal protections as cards, so it can be hard to get money back. For cash sent by U.S. mail, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service can try to intercept a package that hasn't been delivered, for a fee.
- 3
If you gave your Social Security number
Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan. If you're not sure it was used, IdentityTheft.gov/databreach lists steps to protect yourself.
- 4
If you gave a password
Make a new, strong password for that account and anywhere you reused it, and turn on two-factor authentication. If you're locked out, use the account's own recovery steps.
- 5
If you gave the scammer access to your computer or phone
Update your security software, run a scan and delete anything it flags, then change your passwords and turn on two-factor authentication. Ask the manufacturer or someone you trust for help if you can't remove malware yourself.
- 6
Report the scammer
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Tell someone you trust what happened too; the FTC says talking about it can help you see it's a scam.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers get names, phone numbers, addresses and emails from people-search sites and data breaches, which is one reason the same few people get the most calls and texts. Serus finds where your phone number and address are listed and removes them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you. It can't stop every call.
Frequently asked
Can I get my money back from a scammer?
Sometimes. The FTC says your money might be gone already, but it's always worth asking the company you paid with to reverse the payment. Card payments have more legal protection than crypto.
What should I do when a scammer keeps contacting me?
The FTC says to hang up or stop replying, block the calls and texts, and report them at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Where do I report a scammer?
The FTC takes reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses reports to build cases against scammers and spot trends.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
