Recover money and contact your bank fast

If you’ve sent money to a scammer, your bank is the first and fastest call. Acting within minutes gives the best chance of a recall.

1. Phone your bank now — use the number on the back of your card or their official app, and tell them it’s a scam.
2. Ask them to attempt a recall or trace of the payment and to stop any further transactions.
3. Cancel any cards involved and watch for further unauthorised activity.
4. If you paid via PayID, a transfer, gift cards or crypto, tell the bank exactly how so they act correctly.
5. Don’t engage further with the scammer or any ’recovery agent’ who contacts you — that’s a follow-up scam.
6. Then report to Scamwatch and ReportCyber, and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160 if your details are exposed.