Scam warning
Fake Money Recovery Help
After you've been scammed, someone contacts you offering to recover your lost money for a fee. They may say they're a lawyer, a government agency, or a “crypto recovery expert”. They are the same scammers, or their partners, back for more.
Also called: Recovery scam, Refund recovery scam, Crypto recovery scam
The one thing to remember
Government agencies never charge a fee to get your money back. Anyone who does is a scammer.
How it happens
- Some time after a scam, you get a call, email or message.
- They know details about the money you lost.
- They say they can get it back if you pay a fee, or taxes, first.
- After you pay, they disappear, or ask for more.
Warning signs
- An offer to recover money you lost to a scam.
- An upfront fee before they will help.
- Someone claiming to be the FTC, FBI or a court asking for payment.
What to do
- Don't pay anyone to get your money back.
- Report the first scam, and this one, to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Talk to your bank and local police. They won't charge you.
Last checked: October 31, 2026