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Consumer Reports survey findings; not guaranteed recovery rates.
Imagine losing $500 to a scammer. You report the payment and hope to get your money back. But the way you paid may affect your options.
A Consumer Reports survey released October 1, 2026 gives consumers a reason to think carefully before making a payment.
What the survey found
Consumer Reports surveyed 4,682 U.S. adults in March and April 2026. It reported that 91% encountered at least one digital scam or cyberattack attempt and 17% had lost money, including some who recovered the loss.
Among survey respondents who paid scammers using each method, these percentages said they got their money back:
Credit card: 61%
Debit card: 45%
Peer-to-peer payment service: 15%
Cryptocurrency: 5%
Important: These are survey findings, not guaranteed refund rates or a prediction of any individual's chances. They do not prove that the payment method alone caused the difference.
Why payment methods matter
Credit and debit cards have dispute procedures and legal protections for certain unauthorized transactions, but a payment that you authorized after being deceived may be treated differently. Payment apps can make reversing a transfer difficult. Cryptocurrency transactions are often particularly hard to reverse.
Before you pay, stop and verify
Stop. Do not let threats or urgency rush a transfer.
Verify independently. Contact the company or person using a phone number or site you already trust.
Question unusual payment requests. Treat demands for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps as warning signs.
Protect your accounts. Never move money to a so-called safe account on an unexpected caller's instruction.
Already paid a scammer?
Act quickly. Contact the bank, card issuer, payment-app provider, wire service, or cryptocurrency exchange involved. Explain what happened and ask whether a reversal or recovery attempt is possible. Preserve messages, receipts, and transaction records.
Report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reporting helps authorities spot patterns; it does not guarantee you will recover funds. Beware anyone demanding an upfront fee to recover stolen money.
Mark's takeaway
Before transferring money, ask: Do I know who is receiving it? Have I verified this request independently? What could happen if it's a scam?
A few minutes of checking may protect money that took months or years to save. Share this with someone who uses digital banking or payment apps.
AI Digital Money — Learn • Earn • Protect.
Sources
Educational information, not individualized legal or financial advice.