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Act quickly, stay calm, and do not blame your child. Stop all further contact and payments, ask privately what happened, identify exactly how the money moved, and contact that bank, card issuer, app, gift-card company or transfer service through an independently verified channel. Save messages and transaction records before blocking the scammer. A payment made after deception is not automatically refundable, while a transfer actually initiated by a fraudster may fall under different electronic-transfer rules, so describe the facts precisely rather than simply saying “scam.” If threats, intimate images or continuing coercion are involved, treat the situation as a child-safety emergency and contact law enforcement and the appropriate child-exploitation reporting service.
What should I do in the first hour?
Use this order: make the child safe enough to tell the complete story, stop the loss, preserve evidence, and call the company that moved the money.
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- Reassure your child and ask for a private account. Say that you want to understand what happened, not punish them. Ask what the person said, when contact began, how much was sent, whether there were repeat payments, whose account or card supplied the funds, and whether passwords, one-time codes, identification or device access were shared. The FBI tells exploited children and families, “You are not alone, and this is not your fault.”
- Stop responding and send nothing else. Do not pay a fee to “unlock” a refund, prove trust, remove a threat or keep a conversation secret. Preserve the conversation first; then block the account and report it on the platform if doing so will not endanger the child.
- Contact the payment provider immediately. Use a number printed on a card or receipt, the provider’s official app, or a website address you already know. Explain who initiated the transaction, when it happened, the amount, recipient details and whether credentials were stolen. Ask whether the provider can stop, recall, reverse or review the payment. Request a case number and write down the representative’s instructions and deadlines.
- Secure exposed accounts and devices. Change any shared password, every reused version of it, and enable two-factor authentication on sensitive accounts. If the scammer accessed a phone or computer, update its security software and run a scan. A payment by itself does not prove that malware was installed or that identity theft occurred.
Prompt reporting is worthwhile even when a provider warns that a transaction may not be reversible. Do not wait for a perfect explanation before making the first call.
Which company should I contact for each payment method?
The correct counterparty depends on the payment rail. Contact the institution that actually moved the funds, and also contact a linked bank or card issuer when it supplied the money.
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| How the money was sent | Immediate contact and request | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Bank transfer or Zelle | Call the bank or credit union at once and ask whether it can reverse or recall the transfer. | Do not describe every bank transfer as an unauthorized debit; who initiated it matters. |
| Payment app such as Venmo, Cash App or PayPal | Use the app’s current official support route to report the transaction and request reversal. If a linked bank account or card funded it, notify that institution too. | Never use a support number supplied by the stranger who requested payment. |
| Credit or debit card | Notify the issuer or bank immediately. State whether the child made the purchase or another person used the card, and ask about a refund or dispute. | Unauthorized-use protections are different from a promise to refund a purchase the cardholder authorized after being deceived. |
| Wire-transfer company or bank wire | Contact the sending institution immediately, describe the fraud and request a recall or refund. | Reversal is not assured, especially after the recipient has collected the funds. |
| Gift card | Call the issuer using the number on the card. Report the card number and PIN as used in a scam, request a refund, and keep the card and purchase receipt. | Do not throw away the physical card or receipt; they may be needed to investigate. |
| Cryptocurrency | Contact the exchange or ATM operator and ask whether anything can be stopped or reversed. | The FTC cautions that recovery is difficult and cryptocurrency does not have the same protections as credit or debit cards. |
| Cash sent by mail | Contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or the applicable carrier promptly about possible interception. | Give the tracking number, mailing date and destination, if available. |
Keep the provider’s case number, the time you called and the exact outcome. If a representative says the transaction cannot be reversed, ask what dispute, fraud-review or information-request process remains available.
Is a payment made by my child “unauthorized”?
Not automatically. Under Regulation E and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s interpretation, an unauthorized electronic fund transfer generally turns on who initiated the transfer and whether that person had authority—not simply on the sender’s age or the fact that a scam was involved.
When a scammer actually initiated the transfer
If a fraudster obtained account credentials or access codes and then moved money without the account holder’s authorization, that may fit the unauthorized-transfer definition even if the credentials were obtained through deception. Report the timeline, access method and exact transfer to the bank promptly. Qualifying unauthorized transfers have investigation and liability rules, but do not assume provisional credit or a refund before the institution evaluates the facts.
When the child pressed “send” after a false story
If your child personally authorized a payment because the scammer lied about a job, prize, friendship, emergency or purchase, the provider may treat that as an authorized transaction induced by deception. The word “scam” alone does not create a guaranteed refund. Still report it immediately: some providers can investigate, contact the receiving account or apply a voluntary recovery process.
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When a parent’s account or card was used
A payment from a parent-owned account is not automatically unauthorized because a minor made it or exceeded a household spending limit. Give the provider a precise timeline: who had access, what permission was given, whether a password or code was shared, and who entered the transaction. If the institution rejects an unauthorized-transfer claim, CFPB guidance describes a right to request the information used in that decision.
What evidence should I save, and where should I report?
Preserve originals before deleting, blocking or resetting anything. Create a simple chronology with dates, times, amounts and actions taken.
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- Payment confirmations, transaction IDs, recipient names, handles, wallet addresses, phone numbers and profile links.
- Chat messages, emails, voicemails, screenshots, receipts and the scammer’s requests for codes, identification or additional payments.
- The account or card statement showing the transaction, plus the provider’s case number and response.
- Details of any device access, password reset, one-time code, identity document or other information disclosed.
Report the fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. A cyber-enabled fraud can also be reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). IC3 accepts a filing made on another person’s behalf, asks for transaction and suspected-offender details, and does not accept evidence attachments in its online form; retain the originals securely instead. Reporting helps investigators but is not a guaranteed reimbursement channel.
If identifying information was used to open an account, use the child-specific recovery process at IdentityTheft.gov. The FTC has older guidance about closing fraudulent accounts, checking a child’s credit report and placing a freeze; verify current instructions rather than relying on outdated credit-bureau contact details.
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For scale only, the FTC reported more than $4 billion in losses during 2025 from scams paid through bank transfers and cryptocurrency. That figure covers reported scams generally—not children, all payment methods or a recovery rate—so it should not be used to predict your family’s outcome.
What if the scammer is threatening my child or has intimate images?
Threats to reveal sexual or private images require a child-safety response, not just a payment dispute. Ask gently whether money was demanded to keep an image secret, and whether the person is still contacting or threatening your child.
- Stop paying. Predators may continue demanding money, and the FBI warns that some distribute images even after payment.
- Preserve messages and profile information. Do not bargain, threaten the predator or forward the images to friends or family.
- Report the account on its platform and contact law enforcement. If danger is immediate, call emergency services or local police.
- File with NCMEC’s CyberTipline. IC3 says crimes against children should be filed with NCMEC, so do not use an IC3 report as a substitute when sexual exploitation is involved.
- Consider NCMEC’s free Take It Down service. It is a limited-scope option for nude, partially nude or sexually explicit material taken when the person was under 18. It can help restrict sharing on participating public or unencrypted platforms. Do not download, forward or otherwise circulate an image to use the service.
Keep the child physically safe and supported while reports are made. A refund discussion can wait until the immediate threat and emotional crisis are addressed.
How do I secure accounts and devices after the payment?
Passwords, codes and account access
Change the exposed password and every account that reused it. Turn on two-factor authentication for email, banking, gaming and social accounts, and review active sessions, recovery addresses and forwarding rules. Never share a one-time code with someone who initiated an unsolicited contact.
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Phone or computer access
If the scammer installed software, requested remote-control access or handled the device, disconnect suspicious sessions, update the operating system and security software, and run a scan. Contact the device manufacturer or a trusted technician if you cannot regain control. Do not buy a cleanup product as a condition of getting money back; device cleanup and payment recovery are separate issues.
Identity information
If the child supplied a Social Security number, identity document or other personal data, monitor for unfamiliar accounts and follow the child identity-theft process at IdentityTheft.gov. A single payment, without other evidence, is not proof that an identity was stolen.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How can we prevent a second loss?
Expect follow-up messages claiming to be investigators, recovery specialists or payment-company staff. Unsolicited offers that demand an upfront fee, remote access, gift cards, cryptocurrency or sensitive information are often a second scam. No paid recovery service is an official prerequisite for contacting a bank, filing a report or using NCMEC’s free services.
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When the child is ready, discuss the warning signs without turning the conversation into a lecture:
- An unexpected request that must remain secret.
- Pressure to act immediately or keep paying to solve a problem.
- Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment-app transfers or one-time codes.
- A stranger who refuses a normal payment method, video call or independent verification.
- Promises of prizes, jobs, romance, account recovery or urgent help that cannot be confirmed through a trusted adult.
Agree on a simple family rule: pause, do not reply or pay, and bring any suspicious request to a trusted adult. That rule protects the relationship as well as the account.
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Can I call the police if the scammer is outside the United States?
Yes. Contact local law enforcement when there is an immediate threat, stalking, extortion or suspected child exploitation, even if the person claims to be overseas. Give officers the preserved timeline and account details; international location does not make a threat safe to ignore.
Should my child keep talking to the scammer to gather proof?
No. Do not prolong contact or provoke the person for evidence. Save what already exists, then let the platform, bank and investigators determine what additional information is needed.
Will the bank refund money my teenager sent voluntarily?
There is no universal refund rule for a payment the sender authorized after being deceived. The result depends on the payment method, the account-access facts, the provider’s investigation and how quickly the transaction was reported.
How do I talk to my child without making them hide future scams?
Start with safety and listening, not punishment or confiscation of every device. Explain that scammers rely on secrecy and pressure, and make a standing agreement that asking an adult for help will not trigger blame for the initial disclosure.
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