Recognize the pattern
How it starts
Recovery ads, unsolicited calls or victim group messages.
The promise
Your funds have been found; pay first for a full refund.
What happens next
Knowledge of a previous scam does not prove legitimacy. Urgency to recover losses is used to obtain more fees or account data.
Signs to watch for
- Unsolicited guaranteed full recovery
- Fees before a refund
- Success stories instead of a verifiable process
Start with what you can do now
If this happened to you
Stop further payments to the recovery contact.
Tell your bank about any new transfers.
Keep a separate record of the recovery approach and report it to the FTC or IC3.gov.
What to save
Keep the original records. Use copies to organize the details.
- Original scam records
- Recovery ads and contacts
- Fee claims and agreement
- Further payment receipts
Before you send money
- Be skeptical of unsolicited recovery offers and guaranteed refunds.
- Check the person or business independently before sharing records.
- Never send a payment to a stranger to release a supposed refund.
These guides explain common patterns. The facts of your situation and your payment provider’s rules determine which steps are available.