Cryptocurrency Scams
Fake investments, wallet requests, and irreversible transfer pressure.
Learn More →Guidance after an online scam
Practical Support After an Online Scam
Get clear guidance to protect accounts, organize records, and understand legitimate reporting and recovery options. Outcomes depend on your situation and are never guaranteed.
01Pause
02Preserve
03Protect
04Report
Know the patterns
Common scam types
Scams change their scripts, but many rely on urgency, secrecy, impersonation, unusual payment requests, or promises that cannot be independently verified.
Investment Scams
Guaranteed returns, fabricated platforms, and withdrawal fees.
Learn More →Romance Scams
Trust-building relationships followed by urgent financial requests.
Learn More →Government Impersonation
Threats involving arrest, taxes, benefits, or invented agency fees.
Learn More →Technology Support Scams
False device alerts and requests for remote computer access.
Learn More →Business Email Compromise
Impersonated executives or vendors redirecting legitimate payments.
Learn More →Online Shopping Scams
Fake storefronts, counterfeit listings, and non-delivery schemes.
Learn More →Job and Task Scams
Fake employment, check overpayments, and pay-to-unlock tasks.
Learn More →Recovery Scams
Upfront fees and guaranteed recovery claims targeting prior victims.
Learn More →Identity Theft
Misuse of personal details to open accounts or impersonate you.
Learn More →Act methodically
Six immediate protective steps
Prioritize limiting further loss and keeping reliable records. The right sequence may vary by payment method and circumstances.
1
Stop Additional Transfers
Pause payments and communication while you independently verify what happened.
2
Contact the Payment Provider
Use a verified phone number or app to ask about available safeguards or recalls.
3
Secure Accounts and Devices
Change reused passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and remove unknown access.
4
Preserve Records
Keep messages, receipts, transaction IDs, usernames, URLs, and a dated event summary.
5
Report Through Legitimate Channels
Find the relevant provider and agency using independently verified websites.
6
Watch for Recovery Scams
Expect follow-up contacts claiming special access or guaranteed results.
0Common Scam Categories
0Immediate Protective Steps
0Core Response Principles
0Educational Resource Access
These figures describe this website's educational structure—not cases, outcomes, clients, or recovery results.
Prevent a second loss
Be Cautious of Recovery Scams
People who have already lost money are often targeted again. Treat unsolicited recovery offers with skepticism.
- Never share a seed phrase or private key.
- Never provide one-time verification codes.
- Do not install unfamiliar remote-control software.
- Do not pay “unlock,” verification, or wallet activation fees.
- Do not believe claims that recovery is guaranteed.
- Independently verify an organization’s identity and credentials.
Frequently asked
Clear answers, without promises
No. Results depend on timing, payment method, jurisdictions, and other facts. No legitimate party can guarantee recovery.
Keep messages, emails, usernames, phone numbers, URLs, receipts, bank references, wallet addresses, transaction IDs, and a dated timeline. Preserve originals when possible.
Yes, if a bank account or card may be involved. Use the number on your card, statement, or verified banking app—not a number supplied by the suspected scammer.
It is a public identifier for a blockchain transfer, sometimes called a transaction hash. It does not by itself prove who controls an address.
No. A seed phrase can provide full control of a wallet. Legitimate reporting agencies do not need it to receive a report.
Major U.S. government consumer and crime-reporting portals do not charge a fee to submit a report. Verify the web address before entering information.
Warning signs include guarantees, upfront fees, secret contacts, pressure, impersonated agencies, and requests for credentials or remote access.
Disconnect the device from the network, end remote sessions, seek qualified technical help, and change important passwords from a known-clean device.
Take the Next Safe Step
Use calm, verifiable information to choose what to do next.