Will your bank refund money you sent to a crypto scam?

The short answer: sometimes, but it isn't automatic. Banks often treat payments you made yourself as authorized, even when you were tricked. Your best chance is to act fast and ask the right questions. And if the money moved on into crypto, it can still be traced.

By how you paid

• Wire transfer: call your bank right away and ask it to recall the wire. Speed matters most here.
• Zelle: report it to your bank as fraud. Some banks refund certain impostor scams.
• Debit or credit card: ask about a dispute. If the card bought crypto on an exchange, a dispute is harder, because the exchange delivered the crypto.
• Cash into a crypto ATM: see our crypto ATM guide.

What to tell your bank

"I was the victim of a scam. I'm reporting fraud and I'd like a claim number. Please try to recall or flag the payment."

If the bank says no

Your money's trail doesn't end there. We trace where it went next and push the institutions holding it to freeze it so it can be returned to you.

It's been weeks. Is it worth asking?

Yes. Ask anyway, and get your claim number.

• Wire and ACH fraud: how we help
• Crypto ATM scam: how to get your money back
• How to report a crypto scam

Van Orton Recovery is an American fraud recovery intelligence firm. Every case starts with a free, confidential assessment of where your money went and what can be done, usually within hours. Contact us at hello@vanortonrecovery.com or use the link below to get started.