What to do if you paid with a card

Do these steps in order

1. 1

   Do this now Call the number on the back of your card

   Or open your bank or card company's official app. Ask them to refund your money. Ask them to cancel the card and send you a new one, so the scammer cannot use it again.

   What to say: “I was scammed. Please dispute this charge, refund my money, cancel my card, and send me a new one.”

   • FTC: How to get your money back if you paid a scammer
2. 2

   Dispute a credit card charge in writing too

   Deadline: Your letter must reach them within 60 days of the first bill with the charge.

   You can dispute charges you did not approve, and things that never came or were not as promised. Write to the billing questions address on your bill (it may say "billing inquiries"), not the payment address.

   • FTC: How to dispute a credit card charge
3. 3

   Follow up on a debit card charge in writing too

   Deadline: Report within 2 business days of finding out to keep your loss at $50 or less. After 60 days from the statement that shows the charge, the law may not limit your loss.

   Debit card money comes straight out of your bank account. Your phone call counts as reporting it. After you call, send your bank a letter too, and keep a copy.

   • FTC: How to limit your losses on a debit card
4. 4

   Stop all contact with the scammer

   Do not answer their calls, texts, or emails. Do not give them another card number, even if they say the first payment failed.

5. 5

   Check your statements and keep notes

   Look at every charge for the next few months. Report any you do not know right away, and always within 60 days of the statement that shows them. Keep notes of each call: the date, who you spoke to, and what they said.