After a loss, you are at your most vulnerable, and scammers know this. This guide is part of our section on crypto threats and scams.
Why recovery is so unlikely
Blockchain transactions are final. No one can reverse them. Stolen funds usually move through many wallets and services in minutes. Anyone who says that they can "hack the blockchain" or "reverse the transaction" is lying.
The recovery scam
- You post about your loss, or your name appears on a list of victims.
- A "recovery expert", "ethical hacker" or "agent" contacts you.
- They ask for an upfront fee, your seed phrase or remote access.
- They invent a reason for more fees.
- They disappear.
Some fake recommendations appear in comments and on review sites, or under articles about lost crypto.
Warning signs
| Sign | What it means |
|---|---|
| They contacted you first | Almost always a scam |
| Guaranteed results | Impossible to promise |
| Upfront fee | Common scam tactic |
| They ask for your seed phrase | Theft |
| Remote access to your computer | Theft |
| Glowing reviews from nobody you know | Fake |
| Pressure to act now | Standard manipulation |
| Payment only in crypto | Cannot be refunded |
When legitimate help exists
Real services exist for a narrow set of technical problems that you own:
| Problem | Legitimate help? |
|---|---|
| Forgotten wallet file password | Sometimes |
| Damaged hardware or lost files | Sometimes |
| Missing one or two seed words | Sometimes, with great care |
| Wrong derivation path | Usually fixable with the right wallet |
| Stolen funds | Rarely, usually through police and exchanges |
| Lost phrase with no wallet | No |
Careful providers are well known, work under written agreements, charge a share of funds recovered and do not contact you first. Check their reputation with sources that you trust, and be aware that sharing your data still carries risk. Never give your whole phrase to anyone unless you have accepted the risk that they could take your funds.
What to do instead
- Report it to the police and your national fraud agency. In the US, go to IC3 or the FTC.
- Tell any exchange that received your funds.
- Keep transaction records.
- Follow our emergency steps to protect what is left.
- If you need legal advice, speak to a lawyer you found yourself.