Recognising recovery scams.

People who have already lost money may be targeted again by someone offering a refund or recovery. Both the FTC and FBI have published warnings about these approaches.

• An unsolicited message claiming your funds have already been located.
• A guarantee of recovery or an asserted government connection.
• A demand for a tax, release fee or deposit to unlock a supposed refund.
• A request for your seed phrase, private key or wallet password.
• Pressure to act before you can check the company or written terms.

Pause, verify the contact independently and keep a copy of the message. Do not send additional money or wallet credentials on the strength of an unverified recovery claim.

In the United States, report suspected online fraud through FBI IC3 and consumer scams through ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Elsewhere, use the relevant local reporting authority.

Sources: FTC: Refund and Recovery Scams and FBI recovery-service warning. These links provide independent guidance and do not imply endorsement of CERECA.