Before you respond
Recovery scam messages
Learn how refund and recovery scams target people after a loss, what warning signs to watch for, and what to do before paying.
Reviewed May 14, 2026
Quick answer
A recovery message may be a scam if someone says they can get back money you lost but asks for a fee, wallet access, account details, or personal information first.
Do not pay upfront to recover lost money. Contact your bank, payment provider, or official reporting channels directly.
What it may look like
"We can recover your lost crypto. Pay the processing fee and connect your wallet so our recovery team can begin."
Signs to slow down
- The person says they can recover money, crypto, a prize, or a refund for a fee.
- They claim to be from a government agency, law firm, consumer group, or recovery company.
- They ask for a retainer, processing fee, tax, wallet access, seed phrase, or bank details.
- They already know details about an earlier loss and use them to sound legitimate.
What to do next
- Do not pay upfront for recovery help.
- Do not share wallet seed phrases, private keys, account numbers, or identity documents.
- Contact your bank, card issuer, payment app, or crypto platform directly if money moved.
- Report the recovery contact to ReportFraud.ftc.gov if appropriate.
- Talk to a trusted contact before responding to anyone promising to get money back.
How Olevo can help
Olevo can give you a calm second opinion before you respond.
Trusted sources
Refund and Recovery Scams
Federal Trade Commission
FTC guidance says anyone asking for upfront money or personal information to recover lost funds is likely a scammer.
Phone Scams
Federal Trade Commission
FTC guidance explains common phone scam signs, including pressure, threats, spoofed caller ID, and unusual payment demands.
Cryptocurrency and AI Scams Bilk Americans of Billions
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBI IC3 reporting names phishing, spoofing, extortion, and investment schemes among the most reported complaint types.
Related examples
Common questions
Can anyone guarantee they will recover my lost money?
Be careful. The FTC says promises to recover money for an upfront fee are a warning sign.
Why would a scammer know about my earlier loss?
Scammers may buy, sell, or trade information about people who already paid a scammer.
What should I do if I already paid a recovery company?
Contact the payment provider or bank quickly, report the contact, and avoid sending more money or information.