Romance Scam Recovery Steps

Romance scams are emotionally difficult on top of any financial harm. Here's a calm, practical path forward.

In this guide

Stop all contact and payments immediately
Report it
Gather your documentation
Consider whether legal options exist
Be kind to yourself

Stop all contact and payments immediately

Cut off communication with the scammer and stop sending any money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, even if they pressure you with urgency or emotional appeals.

Report it

Report the scam to the platform where you met (dating app or social media), your bank if money was sent, and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Gather your documentation

Save messages, payment records, and any profile information — this helps investigators and may support a claim against a platform or payment provider.

Consider whether legal options exist

While recovering money directly from a scammer is difficult, in some cases a free legal review can clarify whether a bank, payment platform, or dating service bears any responsibility.

Be kind to yourself

Romance scams are sophisticated and specifically designed to exploit trust — being targeted is not a reflection of poor judgment.

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Key takeaway

Stop contact and payments immediately, report to your bank and the platform, and document everything — recovery is hard but not hopeless.

Frequently asked

Can I get my money back after a romance scam?

It's often difficult, especially with wire transfers or cryptocurrency, but reporting quickly to your bank and the platform gives you the best chance.

Should I confront the scammer myself?

No — stop contact and report through official channels instead; engaging further rarely helps and can prolong the situation.

General information for educational purposes only — not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Laws vary by state and change over time; confirm details with a licensed attorney in your state.