Written by this site from official U.S. sources

If you've been scammed, call the bank or company you paid through right away, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

High value
Evidence A
Saves money
Free
Takes some hours
No willpower

In plain words

Speed matters. Call the bank, card company, wire service, gift card company or crypto exchange you paid through right away. With a lost or stolen debit card, reporting within 2 business days keeps your loss at $50 or less. Wait longer and it can be $500, or everything. For a credit card, the most you might owe is $50. Then report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and online crime to the FBI at ic3.gov. If someone used your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov.

Cost: Free. The calls and the online report take an hour or two.
What you get: FTC, debit/ATM card: if you report it lost or stolen before any unauthorized charges, your maximum loss is $0. Within 2 business days after you learn of the loss: $50. More than 2 business days later but within 60 calendar days after your statement is sent: $500. More than 60 calendar days after the statement: all the money taken, and possibly more, including money in linked accounts. Credit card: if you report the loss after someone uses it, "The maximum you might be responsible for is $50." If only your account number was used and the card wasn't lost or stolen, you aren't responsible for unauthorized charges. If you paid a scammer, the FTC says: Zelle or bank transfer, report it to your bank or credit union immediately. Wire transfer (e.g. Western Union, MoneyGram), report it to the wire transfer company immediately. Credit or debit card, report it to the issuer or bank immediately. Gift card, contact the gift card issuer immediately and keep the card and receipt. Cryptocurrency, contact the exchange or ATM operator immediately; crypto payments don't have the same legal protections as cards. Report the scammer at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If a scammer used your Social Security number, report it at IdentityTheft.gov. The FBI's IC3 is "the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime."
Notes: These card liability limits are federal and apply nationwide. After your phone call, also send a letter to the address your card issuer uses for billing disputes (credit cards) or errors (debit cards). Read your monthly statements promptly; the debit-card deadlines run from when the statement is sent. Watch for "recovery" scams: IC3 says it "does not work with any non-law enforcement entity, such as law firms or crypto services, to recuperate lost funds."
Evidence grade: A: Specific numbers from meta-analyses, large cohorts or randomized trials; for law and policy, the statute or official text.
Sources: Federal Trade Commission. What To Do if You Were Scammed. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed （核对的是 web.archive.org 2026年10月3日的存档）
Federal Trade Commission. Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-and-debit-cards （核对的是 web.archive.org 2026年9月28日的存档）
Federal Bureau of Investigation. Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). https://www.ic3.gov/ （核对的是 web.archive.org 2026年10月10日的存档）

Sources checked 2026-10-12

Replaces in the original

Call 110 or 96110 right away to have the money stopped when you find you were scammed; don't investigate on your own first

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