Scam Steps
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Wire transfer to a scammer

Funds moved by wire — domestic or international.

Realistic recovery rate
5–50%

This is the most time-sensitive category. Recall odds are 30–50% if you act within 24 hours, under 5% past 72 hours for international wires. File IC3 right away — for big international wires the FBI can ask foreign banks for cooperation, but only if you move fast.

Do this first

Call the bank that sent the wire and ask them to recall it. Do this first — speed matters more than any other step. If the wire was over $50,000 and went to a bank in another country, also ask them to coordinate with the FBI through your IC3 complaint number — the FBI has a fast recall program for cases like this.

Calls to make first

Phone calls move faster than online filings, especially in the first 24–48 hours. Make these calls before, or while, you work through the templated filings below.

  1. 1. The sending bank's wire desk

    Business hours; ask for the after-hours fraud line if outside
    Call your bank's main line and ask for the wire / international transfers desk specifically — not regular customer service

    What to say: Say: 'I authorized a wire today but was tricked. I need to request a recall.' If the wire was over $50,000 and went to another country, also ask whether the FBI's fast-acting recall program (the Financial Fraud Kill Chain) can be used — they coordinate with foreign banks through IC3.

    Why this one: Wire transfers move fast and recalls are time-critical. Inside the US, you have roughly 24 hours. International, about 48 hours before the money moves out of reach.

  2. 2. Your local police non-emergency line

    24/7 for non-emergency; online forms available anytime
    Search '[your city] police non-emergency' or 311 in many cities. Online report option exists in most US cities.

    What to say: Say: 'I want to file a police report for fraud. I'm not asking for an investigation — I need a case number for my bank and federal filings.' Get the case number in writing or by email.

    Why this one: The case number is the deliverable. Most departments do not investigate losses under ~$5,000, but the case number is required by many banks for dispute processing and by the FTC identity-theft flow.

  3. 3. AARP Fraud Watch Helpline

    Mon–Fri 8am–8pm ET
    877-908-3360

    What to say: Free helpline staffed by trained volunteers. Walk through your situation; they'll help you decide what to file first. You do not have to be an AARP member or over 50.

    Why this one: If you'd like to talk to a real person before doing any of the filings. They cannot recover funds for you, but they will help you think through the order.

Find your bank's official fraud page

Each link goes to the bank's main domain. The current fraud phone number lives on that page — call the number listed there, or the one printed on the back of your card. Don't trust phone numbers found in a search result.

Don't see your bank? Type its name into a search engine with the words "report fraud" and only follow a link whose domain matches the bank's main website. Scammers buy ads on bank-name searches; the top result is not always real.

Free, official help from a real person

If you'd like to talk to someone before filing, these are free public services. They cannot recover funds for you, but they will walk you through what to do next.

  • AARP Fraud Watch Helpline — 877-908-3360. Free, 7 days/week, you do not need to be an AARP member or over 50. Trained volunteers who specialize in scam recovery guidance.
  • FTC ReportFraud advisor — reportfraud.ftc.gov. After filing, the FTC sometimes connects you with a consumer- advice specialist.
  • FTC IdentityTheft.gov — identitytheft.gov. Best place to start if your Social Security number, accounts, or personal information were exposed.
  • FBI IC3 — ic3.gov. Federal intake for internet-enabled crime.
  • CFPB — consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Use this if your bank refuses your fraud dispute.
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