UK Consumer Watchdog Warns of Recovery Fraud Targeting Scam Victims on Trustpilot

Imagine losing your savings to an investment scam and being contacted weeks later by a company promising your money back. You might feel overjoyed. Unfortunately, it’s another scam.

A recent investigation by Which? delves into a highly cruel trend where fraudsters target individuals who’ve already been scammed.

These so-called “recovery specialists” promise to help victims get their stolen money back. The consumer watchdog found fake recovery companies operating openly on Trustpilot – complete with fake reviews, AI-generated photos, and phony UK addresses. Victims desperate for help are tricked into paying upfront “service” or “audit” fees, only to be defrauded once again.

“Fraudsters are preying on people who have already been through the distress of losing money once,” Which? warns. “They exploit victims’ desperation to recover their funds, often through fake companies that look entirely legitimate.”

Between November 2024 and November 2025, Action Fraud received 5,553 reports of recovery scams totaling £185 million in losses.

According to Which?, review platforms like Trustpilot have become fertile ground for scammers posing as “refund recovery” experts.
These impostors post dozens of glowing reviews from fake accounts to look reputable. Many of their sites were created only days before the reviews appeared and list addresses that didn’t exist. Some even pretended to be authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) when they weren’t.

Which? said it had been in contact with Trustpilot, which continues to remove fake reviews and has “placed permanent consumer warnings on all of these firms' profiles and they are now closed for new reviews.”

This professional façade makes it hard for victims to spot the fake. To someone searching online for a way to get justice, these pages appear legitimate.

The ‘FBI Agent’ Twist

The scam isn’t confined to the UK. In April 2025, the FBI alerted consumers about how fraudsters impersonated its Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), contacting victims who previously filed scam reports.
The scammers claimed they’d recovered the stolen funds. But to “release” them, victims needed to pay taxes or verification fees.
You may also want to read: Crypto Recovery Services: Scam or Legitimate?

Why Victims Fall for It

After the trauma of losing money, many victims feel powerless and eager to act. Scammers are aware of this. They search complaint forums, social media posts, and review sites to find victims, then reach out with convincing claims, official-sounding language, and emotional reassurance.

By the time the second payment is made, the victim’s details are often being sold to yet more scammers, continuing the cycle.

Red Flags to Watch For

If you’ve recently been scammed, be especially cautious of anyone offering help to “recover” your funds. Common warning signs include:

• Unsolicited contact – genuine agencies won’t email or call you first
• Upfront fees – legitimate recovery help never requires prepayment
• Pressure tactics – phrases like “limited-time claim” or “funds about to expire”
• Unverified registration – check for FCA authorization in the UK or equivalent regulators elsewhere
• Fake reviews – identical praise, poor grammar, or brand-new reviewer accounts
• Authority impersonation – anyone claiming to be from the FBI, IC3, or a national bank demanding payment is a scammer

How to Protect Yourself

• Don’t respond to cold calls or random emails – Real investigators don’t operate that way
• Tripple-check any company’s credentials – Look for official registration numbers and physical offices that exist
• Use Bitdefender Link Checker to inspect suspicious links before clicking
• Keep track of your personal exposure – Tools like Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection can alert you if your details appear on leaked or suspicious sites
• Report suspicious contact – In the UK, report to Action Fraud; in the US, contact the FTC or local law enforcement

If you’ve already lost money to a scam (whether through the first scam or a recovery scam) you may still have options to try to recover your funds safely without using third parties:

If you’re in the UK and paid scammers via bank transfer:

You can file a reimbursement letter with your bank. Since October 2024, UK banks are required to reimburse faultless victims of Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud, where scammers trick you into transferring money to them. Which? even provides a free template letter you can use to contact your bank and start your claim.

If you’re in the UK and used a credit card:

For purchases over £100, you may be covered under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which makes your card provider jointly liable for failed or fraudulent transactions.

If you’re in the UK and paid through PayPal:

You may be eligible for a refund under PayPal’s Buyer Protection scheme.

If you’re in the UK and paid using cash or gift vouchers:

It can be very difficult to recover the money, but you should still report it to your bank and local police. If you used gift vouchers, contact the retailer immediately — they may be able to cancel or freeze the unused codes.

FAQs

1. What exactly is a recovery scam?

It’s a type of fraud where scammers pretend to help you recover lost funds but instead steal more money or personal data.

2. Why are these scams so convincing?

They use fake reviews, official-sounding emails, and impersonate trusted authorities like the FCA or FBI.

3. How can I verify a company’s legitimacy?

Search for them on the official FCA register or your country’s regulatory site. Avoid firms with vague or missing contact details.

4. What if I’ve already paid a fake recovery firm?

Contact your bank immediately and file a report. If you shared personal data, reset your passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

5. Can I safely post about being scammed online?

If you share your experience, avoid revealing personal or financial details. Scammers actively monitor public forums for new targets.