How to recognize crypto recovery scams

People who have lost crypto are often targeted by a second wave of fraud. Learning the common patterns can help you avoid additional losses.

Common warning signs

• A promise that recovery is guaranteed or nearly guaranteed.
• A request for an upfront 'unlock', 'tax', 'gas', or verification payment.
• A request for your seed phrase, private key, password, or remote access.
• Claims of being an official investigator, exchange employee, regulator, or blockchain agent without independently verifiable credentials.
• Pressure to act immediately or keep the conversation secret.

Safer next steps

Preserve transaction records and communications, verify the official support domain independently, and consider reporting suspected fraud to the relevant platform and authorities in your jurisdiction.