Romance Scam Recovery Steps
Practical and emotional recovery after a romance scam — without shame, and safe from recovery scammers.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
First 10 minutes
- Stop sending money and pause the relationship
- Don't pay any 'tax', 'fee', or 'travel' cost
- Screenshot the profile and conversations
First 24 hours
- Contact your bank about recent payments
- Report to your national fraud service and the dating platform
- Tell someone you trust — secrecy protects the scammer
- Be alert to romance recovery scams
Contact your bank or payment provider
- Report payments and ask about recall and reimbursement
Evidence to preserve
- The profile, photos, and full chat history
- Any platform/app and payment records
Secure your accounts and devices
- Secure accounts if you shared logins or personal data
Report it
- Report to your national fraud/cybercrime service
- Report to the platform, bank, or provider involved
- Keep any reference numbers you're given
Romance scams cause both financial and deep emotional harm, and the shame many victims feel is part of how these crimes work. Please be kind to yourself: modern romance scams are run by skilled, organised operations designed to manipulate trust.
Focus on the practical steps — stop contact and payments, preserve evidence, report, and protect your accounts — and lean on people you trust. Support services exist specifically for romance scam victims, and reaching out is a strength, not a weakness.
Frequently asked questions
I feel embarrassed — is that normal?
Completely normal, and exactly what scammers exploit. Romance scams are engineered to manipulate. You are not foolish for being targeted; the safest next step is to talk to someone you trust and report it.