Can I reverse a wire transfer I sent to a scammer?
Wire transfers can sometimes be recalled within the first few hours if the bank acts quickly — call your bank immediately. After 24 hours the chance drops sharply.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
A domestic wire transfer typically settles the same business day; an international wire may settle in one to two business days. That settlement window is the only practical opportunity to recover funds. If you realize you have been scammed, call your bank's wire department — not the general customer service line — within minutes and ask them to initiate a wire recall.
Your bank will contact the receiving bank and request a hold and reversal. Success depends on whether the funds are still in the receiving account and whether the receiving bank cooperates. In fraud cases, receiving banks are generally required to cooperate under federal banking regulations, but if the scammer has already withdrawn or moved the money, there is nothing to recall.
For international wires, the FBI's IC3 and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) both accept reports. Large-scale international wire fraud may qualify for the FBI's SWIFT-based clawback program, but this requires rapid reporting and is not a standard consumer service. Time is critical — every hour the money moves further away.
File reports with the FTC, the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov, and your state attorney general. If the wire was over $10,000 and you believe it was sent under duress or deception, your bank may have a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) obligation that can assist law enforcement investigations.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited request to wire money to a new or foreign account
- Business email compromise: CEO or vendor instructs a wire to an 'updated' account
- Real estate closing wire instructions changed at the last minute by email
- Romance partner asks for a wire to cover an emergency
- Investment platform asks you to wire to a personal account
- High pressure to complete the transfer before end of business day
What to do now
- Call your bank's wire department immediately — ask for a wire recall
- If it was a business email compromise, also call the supposed sender to verify
- File a report with the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Contact your state attorney general's consumer protection division
- Preserve all emails, instructions, and wire confirmation slips
- Ask your bank to file a SAR if fraud is suspected
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to request a wire recall?
Speed matters enormously. Call within the first 30-60 minutes for the best chance. After 24 hours on a domestic wire or 48 hours on international, the practical window is largely closed.
What is a wire recall and does it always work?
A wire recall is a formal request from your bank to the receiving bank to return the funds. It works only if the money is still sitting in the receiving account. Scammers often withdraw or chain-transfer funds within hours.