I got scammed! How can I get my money back?

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Dear Grace,

It pains me to admit it, but I got scammed! How would you recommend getting money back from a company who stole $732.07 out from your account and is refusing to give it back?

Embarrassed in Edwardsville


Dear Embarrassed,

First, let me reassure you that you have nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re far from alone: In 2024, victims across the globe lost over $1 trillion to scammers. Not only is this an extremely common problem, but the scammers doing this have only become more sophisticated, creative, and clever about it. They’re the ones who are wrong here, not you.

Plenty of savvy folks end up in your position, (no need to be) Embarrassed—the important thing is to minimize the damage. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself moving forward.

Get your money back.

This is priority number one, and there are tools to help you make sure this never happens again—and maybe even get some or all of your money back. Whether a scammer has gotten access to your money, personal info, or a device, these steps from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can help put a stop to the theft.

Protect yourself in the future.

I bet you can guess what I’m about to say: We can’t control the actions of others, but we can control our own. Take a minute to get familiar with common scams and how to avoid them. Then, make sure your online passwords are secure. Better yet, use a password manager tool to handle everything for you, including changing your passwords frequently, without you having to remember a thing. There are several good ones, and some have free versions that cover the basics! 

  • Pro Tip:  If you have as much trouble remembering your passwords as I do, come up with a pass-phrase. This is a short sentence that should be kind of random or nonsensical, but that might make sense to you. For example, “My dog has 3 pink shoes!” (And no, that’s not my actual one.) 

Consider getting some support.

Having money stolen can be a very violating experience and give rise to a host of negative feelings, many of which we unjustly aim at ourselves. Consider getting help to work through the energy-sapping emotions: Talk to a therapist or see if there’s a fraud victim support group nearby, where you can connect with other people who have been in your shoes. Try to remember (and repeat after me): We are not at fault for the bad behavior of others. 

This was a terrible thing to happen to you, and I’m so sorry it did. I know it might feel awkward or embarrassing to talk about, but I’m so glad you did—plenty of us can relate! Now, onward to better and brighter things.  

With love and resilience,

Grace