How To Contact Your Bank After a Scam
Reach your bank safely, report the fraud clearly, and ask the right questions to protect your money.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
First 10 minutes
- Find the official number on the back of your card or in your banking app
- Call and report the fraud immediately
- Ask them to attempt to stop or recall recent payments
First 24 hours
- Get a fraud case reference
- Confirm card replacement and account monitoring
- Ask about reimbursement eligibility for your type of scam
Contact your bank or payment provider
- Clearly explain what happened, when, and how you were contacted
- Ask whether transfers can be recalled and how long it takes
- Ask about temporary blocks and new card/account numbers if needed
- Request written confirmation of your report
Evidence to preserve
- Have transaction dates, amounts, and references ready
- Keep notes of who you spoke to and what was agreed
Secure your accounts and devices
- Change online banking passwords and PINs
- Enable 2FA on banking and email
Report it
- Report to your national fraud/cybercrime service
- Report to the platform, bank, or provider involved
- Keep any reference numbers you're given
Your bank is your most important ally after a financial scam. The key is to reach them through a channel you trust — the number on your card, your banking app, or a national secure line (such as 159 in the UK) — and to report quickly and clearly.
Be ready with the facts: what was paid, when, to whom, and how you were contacted. Ask specific questions about recall, reimbursement, and protecting your accounts, and keep a record of everything.
Frequently asked questions
What if the scammer told me not to contact my bank?
That instruction is itself a major scam sign. Ignore it and contact your bank immediately using official details — a genuine bank or authority never tells you to keep payments secret.