WasCryptoScammedCheck Before You Invest.
You are not alone

If you have been scammed, act fast

Most people feel embarrassed, but scams are crimes. The steps below can limit the damage, preserve evidence, and help authorities track the people responsible.

Do these four things first

These steps take minutes and can prevent the loss from getting worse.

  1. 1

    Stop sending money immediately

    Do not send another deposit, "recovery fee," tax payment, or upgrade charge. Every extra payment is almost certainly gone for good.

  2. 2

    Secure your accounts and wallets

    Change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and move any remaining crypto to a new wallet. Never share your seed phrase with anyone.

  3. 3

    Screenshot everything while it is fresh

    Capture the website, messages, wallet addresses, transaction IDs, receipts, and any promises they made. Evidence disappears fast.

  4. 4

    Call your bank or exchange

    If you paid by card, bank transfer, or exchange, ask about a chargeback, recall, or fraud hold. Time matters — some windows close in days.

Where to report it

Reporting does not guarantee recovery, but it creates a record that helps investigators spot patterns and may help others avoid the same scam.

FTC — ReportFraud.ftc.govBest for all consumer fraud, scams, and bad business practices in the US.FBI IC3Internet Crime Complaint Center — best for online fraud and wire or crypto losses.SEC — Report securities fraudFor investment offers, fake trading platforms, and unregistered securities.Local police or FBI field officeA police report number helps with banks, insurance, and future recovery efforts.

Watch out for follow-up scams

Victims are often targeted again by people pretending to help. If it feels like a second sales pitch, it probably is.

Recovery scams

Anyone who contacts you claiming they can get your money back for an upfront fee is almost always running a second scam. Legitimate agencies do not charge to take a report.

Fake support accounts

Scammers pose as wallet support, exchange help desks, or "crypto investigators" on social media. Never give them remote access to your device.

Phishing links in "update" emails

After a breach, attackers send fake password-reset or wallet-sync emails. Type URLs manually instead of clicking links.

If you are in the US

  • Call your bank or card issuer immediately to ask about a chargeback or recall.
  • File with the FBI IC3 if there was any online contact or crypto transfer.
  • Report investment-related fraud to the SEC if it involved trading or guaranteed returns.
  • Contact your state attorney general’s consumer protection office.

You do not have to handle this alone

Scams can be embarrassing, but they are common. Talking to someone can help you think clearly and avoid a second mistake.

  • Tell a trusted friend or family member before making any more payments.
  • Consider speaking with a nonprofit credit or victim counselor.
  • In the US, the FTC and FBI both publish free victim-support resources online.

Help others avoid the same scam

Your experience can warn the next person. You can share your story anonymously or file a structured report that feeds our public risk database.