When a message or transaction raises concern, take a moment to verify it independently. Use this guide to organize next steps and open the linked official guidance.
Work through it.
- 01
Be skeptical of unsolicited contact claiming that money from a previous scam has been located. A familiar agency name or case number does not verify the caller.
- 02
Do not pay an upfront fee, provide a bank login or send identity documents to unlock a refund. Demands for gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or payment apps are warning signs.
- 03
Contact the payment provider involved in the original transaction through a trusted channel to ask about available dispute or reversal processes. Recovery is not guaranteed and timing matters.
- 04
Report the suspicious offer to the FTC and retain its messages. Document the follow-up attempt alongside the original incident.
The right response depends on what information or money was involved. This guide is general education, not financial or legal advice, and NOVANESTFS does not investigate cases or recover funds.
Source desk.
Review the current guidance and contact the relevant organization through a verified channel.