Investment Recovery Scams
After losing money to fraud, victims are often targeted again by fake recovery services. Learn how these secondary scams work and how to protect yourself.
What You Need to Know
Recovery scams are a cruel form of re-victimization. Scammers contact fraud victims claiming they can recover lost funds—for an upfront fee. They may pose as lawyers, government officials, or recovery specialists. The fee is stolen, and no recovery ever occurs. Legitimate agencies never charge upfront fees.
Red Flags
How to Protect Yourself
- Never pay upfront fees for recovery services
- Ignore unsolicited recovery offers—they're almost always scams
- Verify any agency through official government websites
- Report recovery scam attempts to the FTC and FBI
- Be skeptical of anyone claiming guaranteed recovery
How Smart Money Verified Helps
Smart Money Verified provides independent analysis to help investors evaluate financial companies and risk signals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protect Your Investments
Download our free Investor Protection Guide with actionable steps to verify companies and avoid scams.