Scam Recovery
05/13/2026
Scam Recovery
Scam recovery services are becoming increasingly common as fraud and online scams continue to rise. Unfortunately, many “recovery” offers are scams themselves. After someone loses money to a scammer, they may be contacted by individuals or companies claiming they can recover lost funds for an upfront fee. These scammers often target people who are already vulnerable and hoping for a quick solution.
If you have been the victim of a scam, the first step is to contact your financial institution immediately. Quick reporting may increase chances of stopping or recovering fraudulent transactions and limit loss. It is also important to change passwords, monitor accounts closely, and report the scam to the appropriate authorities such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complain Center (IC3). If money has been stolen, make a report with your local police department. In many cases, they will partner with your financial institution to do the best they can to recover your funds.
You will want to closely watch your accounts for several months. During this time (or any time), if anyone reaches out to you and
- guarantees they can recover your money,
- demands payment upfront for recovery services,
- pressures you to act quickly,
- asks for remote access to your devices,
- or communicates only through social media or messaging apps,
know that you are likely being targeted by a secondary scam. The police and your bank will be your best avenue if money recovery is possible.
Please note: It is extremely unsafe to attempt to contact or recover the funds yourself by contacting the scammer. Please turn over all information you have to the police and let them investigate!
Legitimate organizations will never promise guaranteed recovery of lost funds. Recovery takes time, and in many cases, funds cannot be retrieved. The method of how those funds were sent is especially important as funds sent via crypto, wire, or gift cards are especially hard to recoup.
The best protection is prevention. Slow down when making financial decisions, reach out to people you trust, and always verify who you are speaking to. Furthermore, never send money to someone you do not know. Even if someone pretends to know you or has personal details, always maintain a level of skepticism when money is involved. No legitimate entity will be upset if you hang up and reach out at a trusted method. Also, trust your instincts. If something feels suspicious, it probably is.
Scammers rely on urgency and are willing to try to profit from your tragedy. Staying informed and cautious can help protect both you and your finances from bad actors. Below are some online resources for those looking to report or recover from fraud.
Resources:
https://scamsurvivaltoolkit.bbbmarketplacetrust.org/
https://www.identitytheft.gov/