Blockchain Access UK is a crypto trading provider. According to several people, employees of the company are contacting investors without being asked and are offering to pay out allegedly “frozen funds”.
Attention! This is a recovery scam, i.e. another attempt at fraud. Do not let anyone access your computer via AnyDesk or TeamViewer and do not pay any money to the provider. Break off contact.
In the next article, the Herfurtner law firm informs you about the fraud phenomenon “Recovery Scam”.
What are Recovery Scams and how do they work?
Recovery scams are a type of fraud in which scammers pose as helpers or supporters in order to recover money from victims who have been scammed before. The scammers take advantage of victims’ desperation and hope to get their lost money back, using a variety of tactics.
Where does Blockchain Access UK get information about me?
Fraudsters can obtain information about their potential victims in a number of ways.
Some of the most common methods are:
- Data leaks and hacks: in many cases, information comes from large data leaks or hacks where personal data is stolen from online services or businesses. This information can then be sold on the black market or used for fraud purposes.
- Phishing attacks: Fraudsters can also carry out phishing attacks where they use fake emails, text messages or websites to trick victims into giving up their personal information. This information is then used for fraud or identity theft.
- Social media and online profiles: Fraudsters often use publicly available information from social media and online profiles to target and adapt to their victims. They may use this information to build trust or to reference personal details or events that the victim deems relevant.
- Information from other scammers: In some cases, scammers may obtain information from other scammers who have already scammed the victim. This information can, for example, come from so-called “Suckers Lists”, which list the contact details of people who have already fallen for scams. Such lists can be exchanged or sold between scammers.
It is also quite possible that scammers who have already defrauded you in an investment scam will keep your information and use it for future scams. After successfully running a scam, the perpetrators may use the information they have obtained to target you again – for example, in a recovery scam. They know that you may be desperate to get your money back and take advantage of this situation.
In such cases, the scammers already know your personal details, such as name, address, phone number and email address, as well as information about the nature of the previous scam, including the amount of your investment and the name of the trading platform. They can use this information to construct a credible approach and exploit your hope for redress.
If this applies to Blockchain Access UK, immediately stop any payments and discuss your experience with a lawyer experienced in this area. This person will explore and take all possible steps to minimise your financial loss.
Who are the perpetrators?
The perpetrators can come from different groups and backgrounds, such as:
Individuals: Individual fraudsters who search for victims on the internet and try to exploit them through different fraud methods.
Organised criminals: Sometimes organised criminals or criminal gangs are behind such scams. They often work in large-scale operations, sharing resources, information and expertise to maximise their activities and avoid investigation.
Cybercriminals: Some scammers are part of cybercriminal groups that specialise in hacking, phishing and other forms of cyberattacks.
Regardless of the background of the perpetrators, it is important to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft. This includes checking emails and messages from providers such as Blockchain Access UK for signs of phishing, updating passwords and security settings, and being cautious when disclosing personal information online.
What are the types of recovery scams?
Below are some steps commonly used in recovery scams. Check whether one or more steps also apply to Blockchain Access UK:
Contact
The scammers contact the victim, often by email, phone or social media. They claim that they can help recover the lost money or bring the scammers to justice. They often pose as lawyers, investigators or representatives of government agencies to build trust.
Persuasion
The fraudsters assure the victim that they have information and resources to recover the money. They highlight their supposed successes and experience and promise quick results.
Advance payments
In order to provide their alleged services, the scammers often demand fees or advance payments. These may be disguised as legal fees, administrative fees or other expenses. They often pressure the victim to act quickly by claiming that time is short or that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get the money back.
Ongoing fraud
If the victim pays, the scammer may demand further fees or payments by inventing new obstacles or complications. The victim is drawn deeper and deeper into the scam until he or she finally realises that he or she has been scammed or cannot make any more payments.
To protect themselves from recovery scams, victims should be sceptical of unsolicited offers of help, especially if advance payments are requested. It is advisable to verify the identity of the contact person by searching for them independently and checking their references. If in doubt, it is always better to contact official bodies or trusted lawyers for assistance.
Blockchain Access UK – Evaluate reputability of recovery firms
Are you unsure how reputable Blockchain Access UK actually is? There are definitely some factors that help in evaluating the seriousness of a recovery service provider.
Here are some signs to spot a recovery scam:
1. Unsolicited contact: recovery scams often start with unsolicited calls, emails or social media messages. Be suspicious if you are contacted by someone claiming to be able to help you recover funds, especially if you have not contacted this person or organisation yourself.
2. Pressure for quick decisions: Scammers often try to get their victims to make quick decisions by claiming that there is a limited time or one-time opportunity to recover the lost money.
3. Prepayment or fees: A common feature of recovery scams is that they demand money upfront before providing their services. This may be presented in the form of legal fees, processing fees or other expenses.
4. Exaggerated success stories: Recovery scammers tend to exaggerate their track record by telling stories of previous clients who have allegedly recovered large sums of money. Often these stories are fictitious or greatly exaggerated.
5. Missing or fake references: Fraudsters might provide no references or fake references to enhance their credibility.
6. Unprofessional communication: Look out for poor grammar, spelling mistakes or unprofessional communication in emails or on websites as this can be a sign of a scam.
7. Vague or unclear information: Scammers often give vague or unclear information about their services, fees or the process of how they will recover the money.
To protect yourself from recovery scams, always do thorough research and contact trusted sources before giving anyone any money or personal information. If you suspect you are being subjected to a recovery scam, contact your local police or consumer protection agency for assistance and more information.
What can victims of a recovery scam do?
Victims of a recovery scam should take the following 8 steps:
- Contact your local police and file a report. Describe the incident and provide all relevant information.
- Seek the assistance of a competent and experienced attorney.
- Report the fraud through your lawyer to your bank or the payment service provider you used for the transaction. They may be able to help you recover your money or at least block further transactions.
- Change your passwords and security information for all affected accounts. Make sure you use strong, unique passwords for each account.
- Monitor your credit reports and bank accounts for suspicious activity. If you find that someone has tried to steal your identity or conduct fraudulent transactions, notify the appropriate authorities.
- Consider using a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus to prevent fraudsters from accessing your personal information and causing further damage.
- Keep up to date with the latest scams and protection measures to be better prepared in the future.
- Share your experiences with others to raise awareness of recovery scams and protect others from similar scams.
- If you are experiencing psychological distress due to the scam, consider seeking professional help to manage the emotional stress.
Remember that it is important to remain vigilant and carefully protect your personal information to avoid fraud. This vigilance applies to all providers similar to Blockchain Access UK.
Tips and tricks to protect yourself from Recovery Scam
To protect yourself from recovery scams, keep the following tips and tricks in mind:
Beware of unexpected contacts
Be suspicious if you are contacted by a person or organisation offering to recover money or data without first asking for help.
Check the legitimacy of the source
Make sure the person or organisation offering to help you is genuine by researching independently of the contact route they provide. Search the internet for reviews and testimonials from other users.
Watch out for suspicious email addresses or URLs
Fraudsters often use fake email addresses or URLs that look similar to those of legitimate businesses or organisations. Check the addresses carefully for typos or unusual characters.
Do not give out personal information
Do not share personal or financial information until you are sure the source is trustworthy. Recovery scammers often exploit victims’ fear to get them to divulge sensitive information.
Be sceptical of demands for upfront payments
Reputable companies or organisations do not usually ask for fees upfront to help you recover money or data. If someone asks you for money upfront for their services, there is a high chance that it is a scam.
Check the communication for spelling and grammatical errors
Many scammers are not native speakers and their emails or messages often contain noticeable errors. Look out for poor grammar and spelling as possible signs of a scam.
Trust your gut
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you have doubts about the legitimacy of a person or organisation helping you recover money or data, trust your instincts and don’t go along with their claims.
Report the attempted fraud
If you suspect that you have been the target of a recovery scam, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the police or consumer protection. By doing so, you can help protect other people from similar scams.
By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can effectively protect yourself from recovery scams and prevent scammers from victimising you a second time.
Blockchain Access UK – Money back: can a solicitor help in the event of a claim?
You have had a negative experience with a provider like Blockchain Access UK?
Here are some aspects that illustrate how a lawyer can help in case of damage:
- Legal assessment: a lawyer can investigate the case and assess whether fraud has occurred and what legal action is required.
- Preserving evidence: a lawyer can help you collect and preserve important evidence, such as email correspondence or payment receipts, which can be used to substantiate the fraud.
- File a complaint: In the case of fraud, a lawyer can help you file a complaint with the police or the relevant regulatory authority.
- Make civil claims: A lawyer can help you make civil claims against the fraudsters, such as compensation for damages.
- Negotiating with banks or payment service providers: A lawyer can negotiate with banks or payment service providers on your behalf to possibly reverse transactions or recover funds.
- Networking with other victims: In some cases, a lawyer can help you join forces with other victims to take joint action against the fraudsters.
If you believe you have been a victim of a recovery scam or if you need assistance in recovering funds lost due to a scam, do not hesitate to contact the Herfurtner Law Firm. Herfurtner’s experts offer a free initial consultation and are experienced in fighting fraud and recovering lost funds for their clients.
The Herfurtner law firm represents clients in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You can rely on the team’s expertise and many years of experience to help you solve your case and enforce your rights.
Use the contact form or call us to reach the law firm and describe your situation. Prepare all relevant information and documents needed for the free initial consultation to ensure effective and targeted support.