How much time do I really have to recover a wire?

Realistically, hours — not days. Most successful bank recalls and FBI Financial Fraud Kill Chain interventions happen within 24 to 72 hours of the wire. After the receiving bank releases the funds (often within a day or two), recovery drops to near zero.

The scammer keeps calling me. Should I answer to negotiate?

No. Nothing you say will get money back, and anything you say can be used to set up the next scam. Block the number, save any voicemails as evidence, and let your bank and law enforcement handle it.

Will my bank blame me because I authorized the payment?

For truly unauthorized card charges you are protected by federal law. For 'authorized push payment' fraud (Zelle, wires, Venmo where you pressed send), outcomes vary — but banks are under growing regulatory pressure to reimburse impostor scams. Be persistent, ask for the fraud department, and if denied, file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.

Should I hire a 'fund recovery' company I saw online?

Almost always no. The FTC has repeatedly warned that recovery-service ads are themselves scams. Legitimate recovery goes through your bank, the FBI, and licensed attorneys — not through cold outreach or Instagram DMs.

Do I need to file a police report?

Local police cannot usually recover money sent electronically, but a report number is often required by your bank or insurance and creates a paper trail. It only takes a few minutes and is worth doing.

I am too embarrassed to tell my family.

These scams work on smart, careful people every day — that is why the FBI logs billions of dollars in losses each year. Telling one trusted family member usually helps: they can help you make calls, watch for follow-up scams, and keep you from being isolated by the scammer.

Scam & Phishing Guides

Real answers to the questions people search after receiving a suspicious email.

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What to Do Next
Immediate steps to take after a suspicious email, click, or reply.
Email Scams
How common email scams work and how to spot them.
Brand Impersonation
Fake emails pretending to be from well-known companies.
Government Impersonation
Scam emails pretending to be from the IRS, SSA, Medicare, and other agencies.
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Bank alerts, payment app scams, invoice fraud, and money-transfer scams.
Shopping & Delivery Scams
Fake package notifications, order confirmations, and retail scams.
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Scam Explainers
Plain-English explainers of common scam types.
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Timely and seasonal scam alerts.

All guides

I Downloaded an Attachment From a Suspicious Email
Downloaded — or opened — an attachment you shouldn't have? Work through these steps in order. Most people are fine, but the next hour matters.
I Sent Money to a Scammer: What Should I Do?
Recovery depends almost entirely on how you paid and how fast you move. Follow the steps for your payment method below.
Should You Reply to a Suspicious Email?
It feels harmless to fire back a one-line reply. It is not. Here is what a scammer learns the moment you press send.