First Steps If You Just Sent Money to a Scammer — The Next 60 Minutes Matter
If this is happening to you right now, the first thing to know is this: this happens to careful, intelligent people every single day. The scam was professionally designed to work. The confusion you feel, the urgency you were given, the sense that everything was legitimate — those were manufactured. You were targeted, not foolish.
The second thing to know: the next hour matters. Here’s what to do, in order.
Step 1: Contact Your Bank or Financial Institution Immediately
Call the fraud line for your bank right now. The number is on the back of your debit or credit card, or on your bank’s official website. Tell them exactly what happened and ask them to flag the transaction and attempt a recall.
Banks have fraud departments that deal with this every day. Some transfers can be reversed or recalled — not all, and not always, but your chances are best when you act within the first hour. If the money left your account but hasn’t yet been received on the other end, there may be time.
Don’t wait to gather all the information first. Call now and gather information while you’re on the phone with them.
If the transfer hasn’t processed yet, your bank may be able to stop it entirely.
Step 2: If You Sent an Interac e-Transfer — Call Right Away
Interac e-Transfers that haven’t been accepted yet can sometimes be cancelled. If the person you sent to hasn’t deposited the money yet, your bank may be able to reverse it. This window can be short — sometimes just minutes.
Tell your bank specifically that it was an e-Transfer and ask them to check if it’s still unclaimed. If it is, request an immediate cancellation.
Step 3: Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Once you’ve called your bank, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) at 1-888-495-8501 or online at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.
CAFC is the national agency responsible for collecting fraud reports and coordinating with law enforcement. Reporting to them won’t automatically recover your money — they’re honest about that — but your report contributes to investigations, helps identify patterns, and can lead to action that protects others.
You can report even if you’re not sure of all the details. Report what you know.
Step 4: Document Everything — Right Now, Before You Delete Anything
Before you feel the urge to close the conversation or delete the messages, save everything.
Take screenshots of all text messages, emails, chat logs, or social media conversations related to the scam. Write down any phone numbers, email addresses, usernames, or website URLs involved. Note the date, time, and method of payment. If you have receipts, transfer confirmations, or any other records, save copies.
This documentation matters for your bank’s investigation, for the CAFC report, and potentially for law enforcement. Even if you don’t use it all immediately, having it is far better than not.
A Word on Money Recovery
It’s important to be honest here: money recovery is not guaranteed. Many fraudulent transfers — especially those sent by wire transfer or to accounts that are immediately emptied — cannot be recovered, even with fast action.
That said, quick action is always better than waiting. Some people do recover funds when they contact their bank within the first hour. The goal is to give yourself every possible chance.
If someone contacts you after the fact claiming they can recover your lost funds for a fee, that is a second scam targeting you because you were targeted the first time. Do not pay anyone claiming to retrieve money on your behalf. Report that contact to CAFC as well.
If You’re Struggling
Being defrauded is a genuinely distressing experience. If you’re feeling shaken, embarrassed, or overwhelmed, that is a completely normal response to something that was designed to manipulate you. You don’t have to go through this alone. Talking to someone you trust — even just telling them what happened — can help more than people expect.
One Thing to Do
Call your bank’s fraud line right now. The number is on the back of your card. Tell them what happened and ask them to attempt a recall on the transfer. Everything else can follow — but that call comes first.
Report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. In 2024, Canadians reported $492 million in fraud losses to CAFC — you are not alone in this.