TL;DR: Call your bank immediately — wire transfers move fast and recovery chances drop sharply with every hour that passes, so speed matters more than anything else here.
How to Reverse a Wire Transfer Scam — a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do and how long it takes.
Step 1: Contact your bank the moment you realize it's a scam
Call your bank immediately — wire transfers move fast and recovery chances drop sharply with every hour that passes, so speed matters more than anything else here.
Step 2: Ask your bank to request a recall or reversal
Your bank can attempt to contact the receiving bank and request the funds be recalled or held, though this only works if the money hasn't already been withdrawn.
Step 3: File a report with IC3
Report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) as soon as possible — in some cases, particularly business email compromise wires, IC3's Recovery Asset Team can help intercept funds if reported within the first day or two.
Step 4: File a police report
A police report creates an official record that can support your bank's investigation and any potential recovery efforts.
Step 5: Understand recovery is not guaranteed
Wire transfers are generally considered final once received and withdrawn, so while recovery is sometimes possible with fast action, there's no guarantee — treat prevention (verifying wire instructions by phone before sending) as the real safeguard going forward.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading How to Reverse a Zelle Payment Sent by Mistake.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication the Right Way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Contact your bank the moment you realize it's a scam
Call your bank immediately — wire transfers move fast and recovery chances drop sharply with every hour that passes, so speed matters more than anything else here.
Step 2: Ask your bank to request a recall or reversal
Your bank can attempt to contact the receiving bank and request the funds be recalled or held, though this only works if the money hasn't already been withdrawn.
Step 3: File a report with IC3
Report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) as soon as possible — in some cases, particularly business email compromise wires, IC3's Recovery Asset Team can help intercept funds if reported within the first day or two.
Step 4: File a police report
A police report creates an official record that can support your bank's investigation and any potential recovery efforts.
Step 5: Understand recovery is not guaranteed
Wire transfers are generally considered final once received and withdrawn, so while recovery is sometimes possible with fast action, there's no guarantee — treat prevention (verifying wire instructions by phone before sending) as the real safeguard going forward.