Emergency action steps after a scam
You just realised money left your account and every minute feels urgent.
Updated 2026-09-29
Start here, whatever the scam
Stop paying and stop replying to the scammer, even if you are told this is your last chance to fix things. Screenshot the conversation before you block the account, since you will need it later.
Then find your situation below, based on how the money left your account. The order of actions changes by channel, and by how long ago it happened.
If you paid by bank transfer or DuitNow
Contact your bank straight away and ask about a recall, since banks can sometimes intercept a transfer before it is withdrawn. Read how a bank recall works so you know what to expect from the call.
Call the National Scam Response Centre on 997 at the same time if the transfer happened recently. A police report still matters even after the recall request is made.
If you paid by card
Contact your card issuer and ask about a chargeback, which is asking your bank to reverse the payment. Mention that the charge was made under false pretences.
Keep the transaction receipt and any correspondence with the merchant or platform. A chargeback has its own time limits, so raise it early.
If you sent through an e-wallet or transferred crypto
E-wallet transfers move fast, so report to the e-wallet provider and the police as soon as you notice. If you sent cryptocurrency, save every wallet address involved and follow the crypto scam steps, since tracing depends on the blockchain record staying intact.
When days have already passed
A bank recall becomes less likely once the funds have moved on, but reporting still matters. File a police report with the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, and check whether the receiving account has already been flagged.
At this stage it is worth an early look at whether legal action is worth it, since a traceable account and a meaningful amount can still support a civil claim.
What to do next
Keep every screenshot, receipt, and message in one place, since this becomes your evidence. Our evidence checklist walks through what to save for your specific scam type.
Once you have reported through the official channels, a short conversation can help you see which of the recovery routes actually fits your case.
Tell us how the money left and how long ago, and we will help you see which step matters most right now.
Common questions
What should I do in the very first minutes after a scam?
Stop any further payment straight away, and do not respond to further messages from the scammer. Then move to the channel-specific step below for how the money left, whether by bank transfer, card, e-wallet, or cryptocurrency, and call the National Scam Response Centre on 997 if the transfer was recent.
Does it still help to act if a few days have already passed?
Yes, it still helps, though the range of options narrows. A bank recall becomes less likely, so the focus shifts to a police report, checking the receiving account, and getting an early view of whether a civil claim makes sense.
Which agency do I contact first, the bank or the police?
If the money left by bank transfer or DuitNow, contact your bank first, since recall windows are short. Report to the police and the National Scam Response Centre alongside this, not instead of it, since a report supports every later step.
Read next
What to do right after a scam
If you just realised you sent money to a scam, here is the order of first actions: stop paying, call your bank, call 997, and report it.
Read thisAfter a cash deposit machine scam
If you deposited cash into an account as part of a scam, here is why it differs from a transfer, and what to do right away.
Read thisAfter an international transfer to a scam
If you sent money overseas as part of a scam, here is what your Malaysian bank can still try, and why reporting locally still matters.
Read thisBlock your card fast after a scam
If a card payment on your account went to a scam, here is why blocking the card comes first, and how to start the dispute in the same call.
Read thisTell us how the money left and how long ago, and we will help you see which step matters most right now.