The 'We'll Get Your Money Back' Recovery Scam — What to Know

After losing money to a scam, some victims get contacted by scammers offering to recover the money — for an upfront fee. This is always another scam.

In this guide (4 steps):

1.Understand how recovery scams work
2.Know the warning signs
3.What to do if you're contacted by a recovery scammer
4.How to actually try to recover lost money

Understand how recovery scams work

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After losing money to a tech support scam, romance scam, or investment scam, your name and contact information may be sold on criminal networks to other scammers. The recovery scammer contacts you, claims to be a law firm, government agency, or recovery service, and says they've located your stolen funds and can return them — for an upfront fee, "taxes," or "insurance." After you pay, they disappear and you lose more money.

Warning

The people running recovery scams often claim to be with the FBI, FTC, or a law firm. They use convincing fake documents and websites. There is no legitimate recovery service that requires an upfront fee to return stolen money.

Know the warning signs

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Every recovery scam shares these red flags: (1) They contacted you first — you didn't seek them out; (2) They claim to know the details of your previous scam loss; (3) They ask for an upfront payment, "retainer," or "release fee" before any recovery happens; (4) They promise specific amounts will be returned; (5) They pressure you to act quickly before the opportunity expires.

What to do if you're contacted by a recovery scammer

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Do not pay anything. Do not provide any personal information. Report the contact to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Block the number and email address. Unfortunately, if your money was lost to a gift card scam, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, it is extremely difficult to recover. No fee-charging service can change this reality.

How to actually try to recover lost money

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The only legitimate free resources for scam victims: if you paid by credit card, dispute the charge with your card issuer immediately (you have more protection than with debit cards). If you wired money within the last 24 hours, call your bank immediately — some wire transfers can be recalled. If you paid by gift card, call the gift card company's fraud line — some companies have small victim recovery funds. Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to your state attorney general.

Quick Tip

A free, legitimate resource is the Identity Theft Resource Center at idtheftcenter.org or by phone at 888-400-5530. They help scam victims understand their options at no cost.

You Did It!

You've completed: The 'We'll Get Your Money Back' Recovery Scam — What to Know

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If you've lost money to a scam, you may receive a phone call, email, or social media message from someone claiming they can recover your stolen money — for a fee. This is almost always a second scam targeting the same victim. The FTC warns that recovery scams are rising sharply as more people lose money to the original frauds.

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