TL;DR: Most scam losses are never recovered, but some are. This page collects verified US cases, each dated and sourced, in which victims got money back. The pattern is consistent: report within days, tell the bank, and let investigators trace and freeze the funds.
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The individual cases
- Read about the Connecticut tech-support scam recovery: $549,573 of about $550,000 returned (February 2025).
- Read about the Maine crypto scam recovery: $470,735 of more than $800,000 (March 2026).
- Read about two US business email compromise recoveries: more than $2.28 million (2024) and $2,462,000 (2023).
- Read about four US crypto scam recoveries in 2025: from $1.97 million down to $26,000.
- Read about two fake federal agent scam recoveries: $140,000 and $20,000 (2023).
Two smaller cases
Debt elimination scam, Michigan (April 3, 2023). The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan said criminals promised to pay off a victim's debts for an upfront fee, made small initial payments to build trust, then demanded larger sums while leaving the debt unpaid. The FBI seized fraud proceeds from various bank accounts, and $79,760 was forfeited and returned to the victim.
Tap-to-pay scam, Chicago (February 21, 2025). CBS News Chicago reported that a woman approved a $10 donation by tap-to-pay for two men soliciting funds, and was then charged nearly $5,000 in two $2,400 payments. She disputed the charges for three months. Fifth Third Bank returned the money on February 21, 2025, shortly before a scheduled interview with the news station.
What the cases have in common
- Speed. Reports within days gave investigators time to trace and freeze funds.
- Banks matter. Reversals and holds produced several of the recoveries.
- Persistence. The Chicago victim kept disputing the charge until the bank reversed its decision.
- Not guaranteed. Several recoveries were partial.
For next steps after a loss, read what to do after a scam, wherever you live and how to reverse a wire transfer scam. Reporting channels: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and FTC ReportFraud.
More from other countries
- UK: the SFO's £400,000 return to nine victims and the UK's £249.6 million APP scam reimbursement.
- Canada: the RCMP's US$460,000 Tether recovery, the Toronto romance scam recovery and how Canadian police recovered scam money.
- India: how Indian police are returning frozen fraud money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get your money back after a scam in the US?
Sometimes. The cases here show recoveries through bank reversals, federal seizure and forfeiture, and intercepted shipments, but many are partial and none are guaranteed.
What is civil asset forfeiture for scam victims?
A legal process in which prosecutors seize money traced to a crime and, once a court orders forfeiture, return it to the victims.
Why did the Chicago victim get her money back?
She kept disputing the unauthorised charges with her bank for three months, and the bank reversed its decision and returned the money.
What is the first thing to do after a scam?
Contact your bank immediately, then report to the FBI's IC3 or the FTC. Speed is the strongest common factor in these cases.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice: U.S. Attorney's Office Returns $328,573 to Victim of a Computer Support Scam (Feb 7, 2025)
- U.S. Department of Justice: Return of $470,735 to Victims of a Cryptocurrency Investment Scheme (Mar 13, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Justice: Asset Forfeiture Actions Result in More Than $2.28 Million Returned to 2 Business Email Compromise Victims (Apr 26, 2024)
- U.S. Department of Justice: Civil Forfeiture Money Returned to Victim (Apr 3, 2023)
- CBS News Chicago: Chicago woman lost nearly $5,000 in tap-to-pay scam (Feb 21, 2025)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)