Money recovery scams: no one real charges to get your money back
If someone offers to recover money you lost to a scam, but only after you pay a fee, it's a second scam. The FTC says real agencies never ask for money to help you get a refund, and the FBI's IC3 does not recover funds through social media or messaging apps.
Losing money to a scam is awful. Then, a few weeks later, someone reaches out with good news. They found your money. They can get it back. There's just a small fee first.
The messageRECOVERY NOTICE: Our funds recovery unit has traced $4,800 from your case. To release your refund, a processing fee of $350 is required. Reply or call 1-8xx-555-0142 today. Case #RF-20931
That's an example of the kind of message going around. It may come by text, email, phone, or a message on social media. It often sounds like it comes from a government office, a law firm, or a victim help group.
How the scam works
The FTC says scammers buy lists of people who already lost money, including what scam it was and how much was lost. They use those details to sound real. Then they ask for an upfront fee, or your bank details, to "release" the money.
Some pretend to be from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, called IC3. The FBI says it got more than 100 reports of scammers pretending to be IC3 between December 2023 and February 2025. The FBI also says paying these scammers will not get your money back. Often, after the first fee, there's another one.
The red flags
- They contacted you first about money you lost.
- They want a fee upfront. The FTC says government agencies and real organizations never ask for money to help you get a refund.
- They want payment by gift card, crypto, wire, or a payment app. The FTC says only scammers insist on these.
- They claim to be the FBI, IC3, or FTC. The FBI says IC3 does not recover funds through social media or messaging apps.
- They already know details about your loss. That's from a list, not proof they're real.
What to do
- Don't pay, and don't share bank details. Real help doesn't start with a fee.
- Stop replying. Block the number or account.
- Check for yourself. If they say they're the FBI, call your local FBI field office using a number you look up. If they say they're the FTC, real FTC refunds are listed at ftc.gov/refunds.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and at ic3.gov. Those are the real sites, and reporting there is free.
Already paid a recovery fee?
- Stop all payments, even if they say just one more fee will release your money.
- Call your bank, card company, or payment app right away and ask them to reverse the payment.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov, and to your state attorney general.
Help someone who was scammed
People who lose money often feel embarrassed, and that's exactly when these offers show up. If someone you love was scammed, check in on them. Remind them of one rule: anyone who charges a fee to get your money back is running the second scam. Then help them call their bank and report it.
Lock down your accounts
These go beyond any one scam. Do them once and most scams get much harder.
- Turn on two-step sign-in for your email and bank. A passkey or security key is safest; a code by text is better than nothing.
- Use a different password for every account. A password manager remembers them for you, or write them in a notebook kept locked in a safe.
- Freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It's free, and it stops new accounts being opened in your name.
- Ask your phone carrier for a number lock or transfer PIN, so no one can move your number to their phone.
- Pick a family code word that's never been posted anywhere.
Questions people ask
How did they know I lost money?
The FTC says scammers buy and trade lists of people who already lost money. The lists can include your name, phone number, the kind of scam, and how much you paid. That's why the caller knows details.
Does the FBI or IC3 call people to return lost money?
The FBI says IC3 does not reach out on social media or apps like Telegram to recover funds, and government agents will never ask you for money, fees, or gift cards. You can check by calling your local FBI field office yourself.
Is there any real way to get money back?
Sometimes. Call your bank or payment company right away and ask for a reversal. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. When an FTC case returns money to people, the FTC lists it at ftc.gov/refunds, and it never charges a fee.
I already paid a recovery company. What now?
Stop paying, even if they say one more fee will release your money. Call your bank or card company, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and ic3.gov.