Recovery Scam

How Recovery Scams Target People After Stress

What this scam looks like

Common examples

• A social media account promises to recover money from a previous scam for a fee.
• A fake support agent says they can reverse a payment if you share account access.
• A person claims they can recover cryptocurrency with special tracing tools.
• A caller says a refund is available but you must pay processing costs first.
• A message says your stolen account can be restored if you provide a one-time code.
• A comment under a scam-warning post recommends a private recovery expert.
• A person says not to contact official support because only they can help.

How to verify safely

• Start with the official bank, payment app, platform, marketplace, or agency involved.
• Do not trust recovery claims made in comments, direct messages, or search ads without official verification.
• Be cautious of any promise that recovery is guaranteed.
• Do not share passwords, codes, wallet keys, or account access with a private recovery contact.
• Ask whether the person is asking you to pay before any official confirmation exists.
• Talk with a trusted person before responding to recovery offers.
• Use the site's /reporting page to find general reporting options instead of relying on private helpers.

Warning signs

• Someone promises they can recover money, accounts, crypto, or property if you pay first.
• The person claims to have special contacts, secret tools, or guaranteed results.
• You are contacted soon after a loss by someone who already knows details of what happened.
• The helper asks for upfront fees, private account access, passwords, or new payments.
• You are told not to contact your bank, platform, or official reporting channels.
• The person uses your stress, embarrassment, or hope to keep you engaged.

Questions to ask

• Did this person contact me first after I had a problem?
• Are they asking for money before doing anything verifiable?
• Can their claims be checked through an official bank, platform, or agency channel?
• Are they promising a result that no one can honestly guarantee?
• Have I talked to a trusted person before responding?

Safer next steps

• Pause before paying anyone who promises recovery after a scam or loss.
• Contact the relevant bank, platform, employer, or agency through an official channel.
• Use official support and reporting channels rather than private recovery offers.
• Do not share passwords, one-time codes, wallet details, or account access with a recovery contact.
• Save messages and payment requests for your records.
• Ask a trusted person to help you review any recovery claim before acting.

What to do if you already clicked, paid, or shared information

• Stop sending money, codes, documents, or account access to the recovery contact.
• Contact the relevant bank, platform, employer, or agency through an official channel.
• If you paid the recovery contact, contact the payment provider through official support to ask about available options.
• If you shared login or account information, use the official platform's account support or settings to review your options.
• Save recovery messages, profiles, payment details, and any claims they made.
• Tell a trusted person what happened so you do not have to handle follow-up pressure alone.
• Be cautious of a second person who claims they can recover money from the first recovery scam.

How to report it

• Report the recovery account, message, ad, or comment on the platform where it appeared.
• Report suspicious payments through the bank, card provider, or payment app used.
• Use official consumer-protection or fraud-reporting channels in your region.
• Report impersonation to the real company or agency if a known name was used.
• Visit the site's /reporting page for general reporting options.

Common questions