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Checklist

What to Do After Sending a Wire or Gift Card to a Scammer

Contact the provider that handled the payment as soon as possible. Available options depend on the circumstances.

Response steps

  1. For a bank wire, contact your bank and ask about a recall or fraud review. For a wire service, contact the service directly.
  2. For a gift card, contact the issuer and ask what options are available. Save the card, receipt and transaction record.
  3. Keep original messages and record each provider’s case number.

Records to keep

  • Wire confirmation and beneficiary details
  • Gift card and receipt
  • Scammer contact details and communications

External resources

JDL is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IC3, any bank, card issuer, payment network, or government agency.

Informational Notice

JDL provides general educational information about fraud reporting, payment disputes and consumer response options. The information on this website is not a guarantee of recovery or a particular outcome. Government agencies, banks, card issuers and payment providers make their own decisions regarding investigations, disputes and recovery requests.

Nothing on this website creates an attorney-client relationship unless an engagement has been expressly agreed to in writing.