Different payment methods have very different reversal options — use all that apply.
What to do
- Bank transfer / wire: ask your bank for a recall and get the recall reference number
- Card payment: open a chargeback with your card issuer (codes 13.5 misrepresentation / 13.1 services not provided)
- Crypto: report txids to the receiving exchange's compliance team — they sometimes freeze funds still on-platform
- PayPal / P2P apps: open a 'goods or services not received' or scam dispute in-app
- Stop sending more money — any further 'unlock fee' or 'tax' is part of the same scam
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JD
Written by
Jordan DicksonFounder, CyberSecurityGuides
Founder of CyberSecurityGuides, writing practical, jargon-free guides that help everyday people recover from and protect against online attacks.
Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers