Getting Your Money Back After a Travel Scam

Where to report and what to do first

The first step is to report the scam to the payment method you used — your credit card company, bank, or digital wallet. Most card issuers have a fraud department that can reverse charges within 60 to 120 days of the transaction, depending on the card network. Call the number on the back of your card, not a number from your email or the scammer's website.

At the same time, report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC does not recover money directly, but it tracks patterns and shares information with law enforcement. You will need details about what happened, when, how much you lost, and what contact information the scammer used.

If you paid by wire transfer, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency, contact your bank or exchange immediately. These methods are harder to reverse than card payments, but your bank may still be able to freeze or recall the transfer if it was recent enough — usually within 24 hours for domestic transfers.

Key Takeaways

• Contact your credit card company or bank within 60 days to report fraud and request a chargeback, which is your strongest recovery tool.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the Internet Crime Complaint Center if money crossed state or national lines.
• Wire transfers and cryptocurrency payments are nearly impossible to recover, so act within hours if you used these methods.
• If the scammer used a third-party booking site or payment processor, file a complaint with that company as well, since they may have their own dispute resolution process.
• Keep all emails, receipts, and communications with the scammer — law enforcement and your bank will need them to investigate.

Chargebacks through your card issuer

A chargeback is a formal dispute filed with your credit card company or bank. The card network (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) forces the merchant to prove the transaction was legitimate. If they cannot, the money returns to you. This is your most effective tool for credit card and debit card payments.

You have different time windows depending on your card type. Visa and Mastercard give you 120 days from the transaction date. American Express gives 120 days as well. Some banks offer longer windows under their own policies, so ask. You do not need to wait for the FTC or police to act — you can file a chargeback immediately.

When you call your bank, be ready to explain what you paid for, what you received instead, and why it was fraudulent. Provide the merchant's name, the transaction date, and the amount. Your bank will open a dispute case and may ask for documentation — emails from the scammer, screenshots of the website, your booking confirmation, anything showing the service was not delivered as promised.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center and law enforcement

If the scam involved someone in another state or country, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. The IC3 is run jointly by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. They do not recover money, but they log complaints and share data with federal investigators.

Local police can also take a report, though they rarely investigate travel scams unless the amount is very large or part of a known ring. A police report number may help when you file a chargeback, since it shows you reported the crime officially. You can file a report online in most jurisdictions or visit a local precinct.

State attorneys general sometimes investigate travel fraud, especially if multiple people report the same scammer. Contact your state's consumer protection office — you can find it through the National Association of Attorneys General website — and file a complaint there as well.

Disputes with booking sites and payment processors

If you booked through a third-party site like Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb, or Viator, file a complaint with that company directly. These platforms have their own dispute resolution processes and may refund you even if the underlying merchant will not. Most have a "report a problem" or "contact us" section in your account.

If you paid through PayPal, Stripe, Square, or another payment processor, open a dispute through their resolution center. PayPal gives you 180 days to open a dispute. These processors often side with the buyer in travel and booking disputes, especially if the service was not delivered.

Document everything you send to these companies. Take screenshots of your complaint, note the date and time you filed it, and keep copies of all emails. Follow up if you do not hear back within their stated timeframe — usually 10 to 30 days.

What to do if you paid by wire transfer or cryptocurrency

Wire transfers and cryptocurrency payments are nearly impossible to reverse. Once the money leaves your account and reaches the scammer's bank or wallet, it is gone. However, you should still report it immediately to your bank and the FTC, because law enforcement may be able to freeze the receiving account if they act quickly enough.

If you sent cryptocurrency, contact the exchange where you bought it and report the receiving wallet address as fraudulent. Major exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken have compliance teams that can flag suspicious accounts. This will not return your money, but it may prevent the scammer from using that wallet again.

For wire transfers, your bank can try to recall the transfer within 24 hours if it has not been claimed. After that, recovery depends on whether law enforcement can obtain a court order to freeze the receiving account — a process that takes weeks or months and is not may provide to succeed.

Recovering money through small claims court

If your loss is under your state's small claims limit (usually $5,000 to $10,000), you can sue the scammer in small claims court. This works only if you can identify the scammer's real name and location. Many scammers use fake identities and operate from outside the United States, making this route impractical.

If you do know who they are, you can file a claim in the court in your county or the county where they live. Small claims court is faster and cheaper than regular civil court — filing fees are usually $50 to $300, and you do not need a lawyer. However, even if you win, collecting the judgment is your responsibility, and a judgment against someone in another country is nearly worthless.

Small claims is most useful when the scammer is a local business or individual. For international scams, it is rarely worth the time and cost.

How to protect yourself from future scams

Book through established platforms with buyer protection policies: Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb, Viator, and GetYourGuide all have dispute resolution processes. Avoid booking directly through a website you found via search engine unless you can verify the business independently — call the hotel or tour company's main number and confirm the website is real.

Pay with a credit card whenever possible, not a debit card or wire transfer. Credit cards offer chargeback protection; debit cards and wire transfers do not. If a booking site demands wire transfer or cryptocurrency, it is a red flag.

Check reviews on multiple platforms, not just the scammer's own website. Look for recent reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau. Scammers often have no reviews or only very new ones. Be suspicious of deals that seem too cheap — if a five-star hotel room costs $20 a night, it is probably not real.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get money back from a chargeback?

Most chargebacks take 30 to 90 days from the date you file. Your bank will credit your account temporarily while they investigate, then remove the credit if the merchant disputes the chargeback successfully. The full process can take up to 120 days.

Can I get my money back if I paid through a friend's account or borrowed someone else's card?

The chargeback must come from the person whose card or account was charged. If you borrowed a friend's card, they will need to file the chargeback themselves. If you sent money through a friend's PayPal or bank account, you will need to work with your friend to file a dispute in their name.

What if the scammer's website is still operating and taking money from other people?

Report the website to the FTC, the IC3, and your state's attorney general. You can also report it to the domain registrar (you can find this through WHOIS lookup) and to the web host. These companies sometimes take down fraudulent sites, though it can take weeks. Reporting helps build a case against the scammer and protects future travelers.

Do I have to pay taxes on money I recover from a scam?

No. Money returned through a chargeback or refund is not taxable income — it is a reversal of the original transaction. Keep documentation showing the chargeback or refund in case the IRS asks.

What if the scammer is in another country?

International scams are harder to prosecute, but you should still file a chargeback and report to the FTC and IC3. Law enforcement agencies in different countries share information, and if the scammer is part of a larger ring, your report helps build a case. Your chargeback rights do not change based on where the scammer is located.