My parent already sent money to a scammer. What now?
Move fast, and start with the money. Call the bank or card company right now, using the number on the back of the card or on a statement, and tell them it was fraud. Then change passwords, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI at ic3.gov, and make a police report. Do this even if the amount was small. And expect the scammer to try again, often pretending to be someone who can "get the money back."
Updated September 25, 2026
Step by step
- 1The bank or card company, first. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment, freeze the card, and flag the account. Wire transfers and payment apps move fast, so minutes matter.
- 2Gift cards: call the company that issued the card (the number is on the back or on its website) and ask if the balance can be frozen. Keep the cards and the receipt.
- 3Passwords: change the email, bank, and phone passwords if the scammer got any of them, or got into the computer.
- 4Report it: ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov. Reports are how patterns get caught.
- 5Police report: the local department. The bank may ask for the report number.
- 6If your parent is being targeted again and again, or someone close to them is taking advantage, the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 connects you to local Adult Protective Services.
Watch for the second wave
People who lost money get called again by "recovery services," "lawyers," or "government agents" who promise to get it back for a fee. That is the same scam, round two. Nobody legitimate charges up front to recover scam losses.
Go easy on your parent
Shame keeps people quiet, and quiet helps the scammer. These are professionals, and they now use AI. The most useful thing you can say is "I'm glad you told me."
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