First conversations
- Reassure them: these schemes are run by organised groups and catch careful people.
- Ask them to stop all payments and contact with the 'adviser' or platform.
- Check whether remote-access software was installed and remove it with the bank's guidance.
Practical steps together
- Call the bank's fraud line together and ask for cards and online banking to be secured.
- Report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) or Police Scotland on 101.
- Gather bank statements, emails, chat messages and any app or website names in one folder.
- Change email and banking passwords and turn on two-step verification.
Watch for follow-up contact
After a loss, people are often contacted again by someone claiming they can help. Wallsec never asks for passwords, seed phrases or remote access to a device. Verify any firm independently before sharing details.
If you are looking at your own case rather than reading generally, our cryptocurrency investigation service explains how a case is scoped and worked, the asset tracing hub covers the network-specific work, and our overview of cryptocurrency scam recovery in the UK sets out what is realistic. Asset pages: USDT tracing, Bitcoin tracing and Ethereum tracing. You can also contact the investigations team directly.
Common questions
- Can I contact Wallsec on my parent's behalf?
- Yes, you can start the conversation. We will need your relative's agreement before working on their case.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. We provide investigation, reporting and support with practical next steps; no outcome is guaranteed.
Have a case you want reviewed?
We scope at intake and tell you honestly whether the onchain data supports a traceable case.