Recovery scams: how to avoid a second loss
How to recognize suspicious recovery offers, preserve evidence and contact legitimate organizations.
Guidance reviewed on 11 November 2026.
After a financial scam, another person may appear offering to recover the money. They might describe themselves as an investigator, lawyer or blockchain specialist, and may already know details of the loss. That knowledge does not establish legitimacy: victim information can circulate between criminals or be collected from public posts. FTC guidance published during 2026 again highlighted this pattern.
Watch for guaranteed recovery, urgent advance fees, invented release taxes and requests to send another payment to a private wallet. A balance displayed on a website or an impressive technical report does not prove that recoverable funds exist. Never provide a wallet recovery phrase or remote access simply because someone claims to be examining your case.
Preserve messages, website addresses, receipts, transaction identifiers and dates. Contact the bank or payment provider promptly through an independently verified channel and ask what blocking, recall or dispute options remain. Cryptocurrency transfers can be difficult to reverse, and filing a report does not guarantee reimbursement.
Independently check any professional's identity and registration before sharing documents. Report the matter to the appropriate authority in your country, and avoid publishing unnecessary case details that could help another scammer target you. Seeking assistance is sensible; paying an unknown person more money does not become safe because they promise to repair an earlier loss.
Source: FTC / Military Consumer: Have you lost money to a scam? Watch for scammers who say they can help