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If you think someone you met online is running a romance scam, stop communicating with them immediately—no farewell or explanation is needed. Save relevant details for reporting, block the account, tell someone you trust, and act quickly if you sent money or shared account or identity information. The reporting and financial procedures below are for the United States; none guarantees that money can be recovered.
What should I do first?
- Stop contact and block the person. The FBI advises people who have been victimized to “stop all contact with the scammer immediately.” Don’t keep messaging to seek closure, challenge their story, or see whether they will ask for more. Before blocking or changing access to an account, preserve relevant details for reports where feasible: usernames, profile links, messages, email addresses, phone numbers, and payment requests. Then block the account. FBI romance scam guidance.
- Tell someone you trust. A friend or family member can help you take practical steps and avoid responding alone if the person tries to reach you again. The FTC also advises talking to someone trusted. FTC: What To Know About Romance Scams.
- Report the profile to the platform. Use the dating site, social network, or app’s reporting feature. Reporting the account can alert the service, but does not replace reporting the fraud to US authorities.
Can I get the money back?
Contact the provider used to send the money as soon as possible. Explain that the payment was part of a scam and ask whether it can be stopped, reversed, or refunded. The sooner you contact the provider, the better, but recovery is uncertain and the money may already be gone. Keep receipts, transaction IDs, and any gift cards or packaging.
| How you paid | Who to contact | What to ask or do |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer or payment app | Your bank, credit union, or the payment app | Ask whether the transfer can be canceled or reversed, and report the recipient and transaction as fraud. |
| Wire transfer | The wire-transfer company | Ask immediately whether the transfer can be canceled or recalled. |
| Credit or debit card | The card issuer | Report the scam charge and ask about disputing it or preventing further charges. |
| Gift card | The gift-card issuer | Report the scam and ask whether the balance can be frozen or recovered. Keep the card and receipt. |
| Cryptocurrency | The exchange or service used to send or buy it | Report the transaction and ask what action, if any, is possible. Cryptocurrency transfers may be difficult or impossible to reverse. |
| Cash shipment or ATM transaction | The shipping company or ATM operator involved | Report the fraud and ask whether the shipment or transaction can be stopped. Also notify your bank if its account or card was used. |
These steps reflect the FTC’s romance-scam guidance and its post-scam recovery advice.
What should I do if I shared passwords, identity details, or device access?
If you shared a password
Change it immediately, along with any other accounts where you reused it. Turn on two-factor authentication where available. Use a new, unique password for each account.
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If you shared your Social Security number or suspect identity theft
Go to IdentityTheft.gov and follow its recovery guidance for your situation.
If the person accessed your device
Follow the FTC’s sequence: update your security software, scan the device, remove any problems the scan identifies, then change passwords and enable two-factor authentication. See the FTC’s steps for people who were scammed.
Where should I report the scam?
- Federal Trade Commission: Submit a fraud report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: Report internet-facilitated crime at ic3.gov.
- Dating site, social network, or app: Report the profile through the service where you encountered the person.
The FTC and IC3 are distinct reporting routes. Filing a report does not ensure an investigation, reimbursement, or recovery, but it gives the relevant authorities information about the fraud. For context, the FBI’s Chicago Field Office reported that IC3 received 17,910 romance-scam complaints with $672,009,052 in reported losses during 2024. Those are reported complaints and losses, not a count of every incident or all victim losses.
How do I prepare an IC3 complaint?
The Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime’s February 2026 guide says transaction details and information about the scammer’s contact methods are especially useful. IC3’s form cannot accept uploaded files or be saved for later completion, so gather your information before starting.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Make a separate document with transaction dates, amounts, payment methods, recipient details, and the scammer’s usernames, contact information, and profile links.
- Use a laptop or desktop to complete the IC3 form, and check IC3’s current instructions in case the form process has changed.
- After submitting, save or print the confirmation and submission ID for your records.
Why can it be hard to recognize a romance scam?
A romance scammer uses a fake online identity to build affection and trust, then exploits the relationship to manipulate or steal. Common warning signs include quick intimacy, pressure to move off the dating platform, efforts to isolate you from friends or family, repeated excuses for not meeting, and requests for money. A request to use your bank account to receive funds can also signal involvement in other theft or fraud. You do not need to keep investigating or prove the person’s identity before ending contact.
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