How to spot a crypto recovery scam

Search for "crypto wallet recovery" and within a minute you'll find dozens of companies promising everything. Some of them exist to rob you a second time. These are the signs.

1. They ask for your seed phrase or private key

A legitimate service never asks for that by email, chat or web form. Anyone who does isn't planning to restore your access — they're planning to take it over.

2. They promise to recover stolen crypto

Blockchain transactions are irreversible. A service claiming it can "trace and reverse" a transaction is describing something that does not technically exist.

3. Upfront costs

"A small fee for gas" or "a deposit for the software" — pay once and a second request always follows.

4. No contract, no company

No registration number, no business address, no agreement under any identifiable law. Ask; a serious company has these ready.

5. Guarantees

Nobody can guarantee a recovery. An honest assessment sometimes says: this won't work.

6. Pressure

"The offer expires today" doesn't fit a case that often takes weeks.

Rule of thumb: a good recovery firm wants a contract first, then verification, and only bills once you're back inside your own wallet.