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The first 24 hours after a crypto scam: a calm, practical checklist

RECOVERY GUIDE

The hours right after you realise your crypto is gone are the most important and the most overwhelming. Panic leads to mistakes that cost more money. Here is a calm, ordered checklist our recovery team gives every new client.

Stop sending money immediately

Whatever the platform or the person says, do not send another cent. The most common second loss is a victim paying a fee to unlock a withdrawal that was never going to be released.

Preserve everything

Save every transaction hash, wallet address, deposit confirmation, email, and chat log. Screenshot the platform before it disappears. This evidence is what tracing and any dispute depend on.

Do not delete the app or accounts

It is tempting to wipe everything in anger, but the account history and on-platform messages are part of the record. Lock the account and change passwords, but keep the data.

Report in the right order

File with your bank or card issuer first if a card was used, then the relevant authority. Speed matters most for card chargebacks, which have tight deadlines.

Get an honest assessment before paying anyone

Recovery is sometimes possible and sometimes not. Talk to a firm that will tell you the truth for free before you commit to anything.

Your first-24-hours checklist

  • Stop all further payments
  • Save hashes, addresses, emails, screenshots
  • Lock accounts but keep the data
  • File card or bank disputes within the window
  • Get a free, honest case review