Recover Money Sent by Wire Transfer After a Scam
Wire transfers move fast and are rarely reversed — but your bank can attempt an urgent recall if you act immediately.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
First 10 minutes
- Stop all contact with the scammer and do not send further transfers
- Call your bank's fraud or wire department using the number on your card or statement
- Ask them to place an urgent recall request on the wire transfer
- Have the transfer date, amount, and destination bank details ready
- Request that the outgoing account is flagged for monitoring
First 24 hours
- Follow up with your bank in writing and get a recall reference number
- Contact the destination bank directly if your bank provides their details
- Report to your national fraud service
- If it was an international transfer, ask your bank about SWIFT recall procedures
- Keep all documentation of the recall attempts
Contact your bank or payment provider
- Request an urgent wire recall — the sooner it is placed, the better
- Ask your bank to contact the receiving bank directly
- Ask for written confirmation of the recall attempt and its status
- Inquire about any reimbursement policies for fraud-induced transfers
- If the receiving account is at the same bank, escalation may be faster
Evidence to preserve
- Save the wire confirmation slip or transfer receipt
- Screenshot all messages, emails, or instructions that led to the transfer
- Record the recipient name, account number, routing number, and bank
- Note any false pretexts used — fake invoices, impersonation, urgent instructions
- Keep a log of every call and communication with your bank
Secure your accounts and devices
- Change online banking passwords and enable 2FA immediately
- Check whether any payment instructions or contact details have been changed in your accounts
- If a business email was compromised, isolate and secure that account
- Verify future payment requests through a separate, known contact method
Report it
- Report to your national fraud/cybercrime service
- Report to the platform, bank, or provider involved
- Keep any reference numbers you're given
Wire transfers are one of the hardest payments to recover because funds typically leave your bank and reach the destination within hours. Once the receiving bank has disbursed the money, retrieval is very difficult. Speed is the single most important factor.
A recall request asks the destination bank to hold or return the funds — it can work if the money is still sitting in the receiving account. Your bank and the receiving bank must cooperate, and there is no guarantee of success, but it is always worth attempting immediately.
Wire fraud often involves business email compromise (fake invoice redirection), romance scams, real estate fraud (fake closing instructions), or impersonation of lawyers, government agencies, or executives. If you suspect the instructions you received were fraudulent, preserve every email and message as evidence.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can a wire transfer be recalled?
The window is very short — often hours. Recalls placed on the same business day have the best chance. Contact your bank immediately, not the next day.
What is a SWIFT recall?
For international transfers, a SWIFT message can be sent to the destination bank requesting the funds be returned. Your bank handles this. Ask specifically about it for cross-border transfers.
What if my bank says it cannot help?
Escalate to your bank's complaints process, then to your national financial regulator or ombudsman. Also report to your national fraud service, which can assist with coordination.
Can I sue to get the money back?
Potentially, but it is rarely practical — scammers are often overseas and hard to identify. A solicitor or attorney can advise on your options if the amount is significant.