All scam types
Sorted by typical recovery rate, highest first. The percentage is the share of victims in that category who get their money back when filings are done correctly within the time windows — pulled from public FTC, CFPB, and IC3 data. Population averages, not predictions for any individual case.
Unauthorized credit or debit card charge
Typical recovery 85–95%Charges on your card you did not authorize. Card number, not full account, compromised.
Identity theft — accounts opened or SSN used in your name
Typical recovery 70–90%Someone has used your personal information to open accounts or commit fraud — different from a single fraudulent charge.
Marketplace purchase paid via platform checkout
Typical recovery 60–80%eBay, FB Marketplace shipping, OfferUp shipping, PayPal Goods & Services — paid through the platform.
Tech support scam with remote access to your device
Typical recovery 30–60%You called or were called by fake 'support' and granted remote access — funds moved or persistent access installed.
Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App payment you sent to a scammer
Typical recovery 10–25%You authorized the payment but were deceived about who or what you were paying.
Wire transfer to a scammer
Typical recovery 5–50%Funds moved by wire — domestic or international.
Crypto sent to an exchange account (Coinbase, Binance, Kraken, etc.)
Typical recovery 5–15%Funds sent to a wallet still controlled by a regulated exchange — small window where freeze is possible.
Marketplace purchase paid by Zelle, Venmo Friends, or cash
Typical recovery 5–15%Paid the seller directly outside the platform's protected payment flow.
Other scam type
Typical recovery 5–30%A scam that doesn't cleanly fit the categories above.
Government impersonation (IRS, Social Security, ICE, FBI, etc.)
Typical recovery 2–20%Caller claimed to be a government agency demanding payment, often by gift card, wire, or crypto.
Crypto sent to a non-custodial wallet
Typical recovery 0–1%Funds sent to a wallet address the scammer controls directly, outside any exchange.
Romance scam
Typical recovery 0–5%Sustained relationship deception over weeks or months, payments by wire, gift card, or crypto.
Investment fraud / 'pig butchering'
Typical recovery 0–2%Fake crypto-trading platform, often introduced through a long social-engineering relationship.