Someone offered to recover money I lost to a scam, is that a scam too?
Last reviewed: 2026-08-01 · Checked with Hunch’s on-device engine, the same one inside the extension. How Hunch checks →
Part of our guide: What to do if you got scammed →
Yes, “recovery” offers that charge an upfront fee are a second scam that targets people who were already scammed. No legitimate service guarantees to get your money back for a fee paid in advance, and real authorities never charge you to “release” recovered funds.
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The mark is someone who has already lost money and is desperate to claw it back, which is exactly what makes a “we can recover your funds” offer feel like a lifeline. The victim is emotionally invested and, more often than not, already sitting on a scammer’s list, so a confident promise wrapped around a “small processing fee” preys on hope rather than greed.
Illustrative example of the pattern, not a real message someone received.
How to verify it yourself
- Never pay an upfront fee to “recover” lost money. That is the scam.
- Real fraud reporting (your bank, police, or a government fraud line) is free.
- Scammers often re-target victims using lists from the first scam.
- Be suspicious of anyone who contacts you first offering to get your money back.
Common questions
can I get money back after a scam
Sometimes, by acting fast through your bank, card issuer, or the payment service, and by reporting to the authorities. But no one can guarantee recovery, and legitimate help never charges an upfront fee.
is a money recovery service a scam
If it demands payment in advance or guarantees results, yes. This is a second scam aimed at people already hurt once, using the promise of getting their money back.
someone offered to recover my scammed money for a fee
Walk away. Real fraud reporting is free, and authorities never charge you to “release” recovered funds. The upfront fee is the whole scam.
recovery scam targeting scam victims
Scammers trade and reuse victim lists, so a fresh victim often gets a “we can recover your loss” pitch soon after. Being contacted first is a warning sign, not good luck.
If you already responded
- If you paid a recovery “fee,” contact your bank or payment provider immediately to try to stop or reverse it.
- Stop all contact and don’t send further payments or documents.
- Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.