Finding out you have been scammed is a deeply upsetting experience. You might feel angry, embarrassed, or unsure where to turn. Those feelings are completely understandable, and you are not alone.
The important thing to know is that in many cases, you can get your money back. The steps you take in the hours and days after a scam can make a real difference to your chances of recovery. Here is exactly what to do.
Can You Get Your Money Back After a Scam?
In many cases, yes. Whether you can recover your money depends on several factors, including how the scam happened, which payment method you used, and how quickly you act.
APP fraud losses in the UK fell slightly in 2024 to £450.7 million, with the number of cases dropping by 20 per cent to under 186,000. Despite this, hundreds of millions of pounds are still being lost every year, and not every victim knows they have options. Freshfields
The good news is that the law is increasingly on your side. Under APP fraud reimbursement rules introduced in October 2024, most UK banks are now legally required to refund victims of bank transfer fraud up to £85,000. And even if your bank refuses, that is not the end of the road.
First Steps: What to Do Immediately
Whatever type of scam you have experienced, these steps apply straight away.
Stop any further payments. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately and ask them to freeze your account or cancel any recurring transactions linked to the scam. Do not wait.
Gather evidence. Save all communication, screenshots, emails, texts, and transaction details related to the scam. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case.
Report the scam. File a report with the relevant authorities as soon as possible. See the reporting section below for where to go.
Not sure what else to do? Read our full guide on what to do if you have been scammed.
How to Get Your Money Back: By Payment Method
The route to recovering your money depends largely on how you paid. Here is what to do in each case.
Bank transfer
If you sent money via bank transfer, contact your bank immediately. Under the mandatory APP fraud reimbursement rules, most banks are now required to refund eligible victims of bank transfer fraud up to £85,000. You should ask your bank about this directly and provide as much evidence as possible.
If your bank refuses your claim or does not respond within eight weeks, you can escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free, or seek help from CEL Solicitors.
For more detail on how the bank refund process works, read our guide on whether banks refund scammed money.
Direct debit
Contact your bank straight away to cancel the direct debit and request a refund. The Direct Debit Guarantee means you are entitled to a full and immediate refund from your bank if a payment is taken in error or fraudulently.
Credit card
File a chargeback request with your card provider as soon as possible. You may also have additional protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for purchases over £100 and up to £30,000, which makes your card provider jointly liable for the loss alongside the seller.
PayPal
Open a dispute through PayPal’s Resolution Centre. If PayPal is unable to resolve the issue and you paid by card through PayPal, you may also be able to raise a chargeback with your card provider.
Gift cards or prepaid cards
Unfortunately, these payment methods are often untraceable, making refunds very difficult. Reporting the scam quickly may help authorities investigate and prevent further victims, even if direct recovery is challenging.
Where to Report a Scam in the UK
Reporting a scam is one of the most important steps you can take. It helps authorities identify and stop fraudsters, and in some cases can contribute to recovering funds.
Your bank. Notify them immediately. Most banks have a dedicated fraud line available 24 hours a day.
Report Fraud. The UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, replacing Action Fraud in December 2025. You can report online at reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. You will receive a crime reference number which may be useful later.
Social media platforms or online marketplaces. If the scam happened on one of these platforms, report the user or listing directly. Platforms have a legal duty under the Online Safety Act to tackle fraud originating on their services.
Even if you cannot reclaim your money immediately, reporting contributes to broader fraud prevention efforts and helps protect others from the same scam.
What if Your Bank Refuses to Refund You?
A refusal from your bank is not final. Banks do not always make the right decision, and their response can be challenged.
Your options are:
The Financial Ombudsman Service. If your bank refuses your claim or does not respond within eight weeks, you can refer your case to the Ombudsman for free. They will look at your case independently and can overturn your bank’s decision.
CEL Solicitors. If your bank has let you down, we can review your case, challenge their decision, and manage the entire process on your behalf on a no win, no fee basis.
How CEL Solicitors Can Help
Recovering scammed money can feel daunting, but you do not have to face it alone. CEL Solicitors specialises in helping people get back money that their banks have refused to return. We have recovered over £120 million for fraud and scam victims across the UK, and we work on a no win, no fee basis, which means there is no financial risk to you in finding out whether you have a case.
No win, no fee. If we do not win your case, you do not pay. Simple.
Proven track record. We have helped thousands of people hold banks and financial institutions accountable, even in cases where refund requests were initially refused.
Expert legal support. As a regulated law firm, we have legal powers and protections that most refund companies do not. We can take matters further if needed, including to the Financial Ombudsman Service or through the courts.
You are not alone. If you have been scammed and want your money back, just tell CEL. We listen, we care, we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get money back if you have been scammed? In many cases, yes. If you paid by bank transfer, you may be entitled to a refund under the APP fraud reimbursement rules introduced in October 2024. If you paid by credit card, you may be protected under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 or through a chargeback. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of recovery.
How do I get my money back from a scammer? Start by contacting your bank immediately and reporting the fraud. Gather all evidence you have, including messages, screenshots, and transaction details. Report the scam to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk. If your bank refuses to refund you, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service or seek help from CEL Solicitors.
How long do I have to report a scam to my bank? Under the APP fraud reimbursement rules, you should report the fraud within 13 months of making the payment to be covered. However, the sooner you report it, the better your chances of recovery. Do not assume it is too late without checking first.
What if I paid by bank transfer and my bank says it was my fault? A bank saying the loss was your fault is not necessarily the end of the matter. Under the APP fraud rules, banks can only refuse a refund if you acted with gross negligence, which is a high legal standard. Simply being deceived does not meet that bar. CEL Solicitors can review your case and advise whether your bank’s refusal is justified.
Can I get money back if I was scammed online? Yes, in many cases. The route to recovery depends on how you paid. Bank transfers are covered by the APP fraud reimbursement rules, credit card payments may be covered by Section 75 or chargeback, and PayPal payments can be disputed through the Resolution Centre. Read our guide on what to do if you have been scammed online for more detail.
Is it worth getting a solicitor if I have been scammed? If your bank has refused your claim or you have lost a significant sum, yes. CEL Solicitors works on a no win, no fee basis, so there is no financial risk in getting in touch. We can assess your case, challenge your bank’s decision, and take the matter further if needed.
