Introduction
Romance scams are one of the most painful types of fraud. They don’t just take money—they break trust and hearts too. If you have been tricked by someone pretending to love you, don’t lose hope. You can begin the romance scam refund process and try to recover your money.
This guide will explain, step by step, how you can do it.
Step 1: Recognise That You Have Been Scammed
The first step in the romance scam refund process is accepting that it was a scam. This can be very hard because emotions are involved. But knowing the truth will give you strength to act.
How to spot a romance scam:
The person avoids video calls or meeting in person.
They ask for money for emergencies, travel, or investments.
They pressure you to act quickly.
Their stories seem too good to be true.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone—many people have faced the same thing.
Step 2: Collect All Your Evidence
Once you know it’s a scam, gather all the proof you can.
What to save:
Chat messages, emails, and social media conversations.
Screenshots of profiles, names, and pictures.
Bank transfer details or receipts.
Any promises or reasons they gave for needing money.
This evidence will help your bank or legal team understand what happened.
Step 3: Contact Your Bank Immediately
Time is very important in the romance scam refund process. The sooner you tell your bank, the better chance you have of getting your money back.
When you speak to your bank:
Tell them the payment was part of a scam.
Share all your evidence.
Ask them to check if you qualify for an Authorised Push Payment (APP) scam refund.
In the UK, banks must usually refund victims of APP scams unless they can prove you acted with serious carelessness.
Step 4: Report the Scam to Authorities
Even if your bank is already helping, you should still report the scam.
In the UK, you can report to Action Fraud, the national fraud reporting service. This not only supports your refund claim but also helps stop scammers from hurting others.
Step 5: Get Legal Help If You Need It
Sometimes banks refuse refunds or take too long. If this happens, you don’t have to give up.
Services like Fair Legal can guide you through the romance scam refund process. They can:
Speak to your bank on your behalf.
Help you prepare strong refund claims.
Take your case to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if needed.
Work on a No-Win, No-Fee basis, so you don’t pay unless you win.
Having professionals by your side makes the process less stressful.
Step 6: Escalate If Your Bank Says No
If your bank refuses, you have the right to challenge their decision. You can take your case to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
The Ombudsman is an independent body that reviews cases fairly. Many people have received refunds after their bank first said no.
Step 7: Act Quickly in Crypto Scams
Some romance scams involve cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin or Ethereum. These are harder to recover because transfers are fast and often go overseas.
If this happened to you:
Report it immediately.
Contact legal experts who deal with crypto recovery.
Provide as much transaction detail as possible.
Speed is critical here—the sooner you act, the better chance you have.
Step 8: Protect Yourself for the Future
