Overview
If you believe you’ve been targeted in a cryptocurrency scam, act quickly to protect your funds and secure your personal information. This article outlines the key steps to take and explains what MoonPay can and cannot do to assist.
1. Report the incident to law enforcement
Gather as much detail as possible before filing a report. Include:
How you were contacted (for example, by email, social media, or phone)
Any messages or instructions you received
Transaction details such as wallet addresses, transaction hashes, and amounts sent
Screenshots or other evidence of the scam
File an official report with your local or national law enforcement agency. Provide all collected information to help their investigation.
Important: Don’t send additional funds or share sensitive information. Stop engaging and block or ignore further messages — law enforcement is best positioned to investigate, and MoonPay can’t recover cryptocurrency once it’s been sent.
2. Secure your financial accounts
If you shared sensitive financial information (such as credit card details or bank account numbers):
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately
Ask them to block or replace any compromised cards or accounts
Request information about dispute or chargeback options for unauthorized transactions
Change your passwords for key accounts and make sure each is strong and unique
Use reference numbers from your statements to provide precise details when reporting scams or unauthorized transactions.
3. Understand cryptocurrency transaction irreversibility
Once a cryptocurrency transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, it cannot be canceled or refunded by MoonPay, your wallet provider, or your bank. This is an inherent feature of blockchain technology.
While the transaction itself can’t be reversed, law enforcement and financial institutions may still assist in investigating the fraud and preventing further losses.
4. Work with MoonPay if your account is affected
If your MoonPay account is linked to suspected scam activity or unauthorized transactions:
MoonPay may temporarily restrict purchases or block your account to protect you
You can deactivate your MoonPay account through your account settings
Change your MoonPay account password immediately to ensure its security.
Review any linked wallets for potential vulnerabilities or unauthorized activity.
If law enforcement contacts MoonPay as part of their investigation, MoonPay will cooperate and provide information as permitted by law.
Note: MoonPay cannot guarantee recovery of lost funds but will review cases and provide information where legally possible.
5. Educate yourself to prevent future scams
Take time to learn how to recognize and avoid common cryptocurrency scams.
Resources such as MoonPay’s scam awareness guides can help you:
Identify suspicious offers or communications
Make safer decisions when buying or transferring crypto
Be cautious of merchants or individuals requesting additional deposits to release funds, as this is a common scam tactic.
Regularly review best practices for keeping your accounts and assets secure.
Tip: Always double-check URLs, avoid sharing wallet keys, and be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed returns. For practical safety advice, check out our guide on how to stay safe when using cryptocurrency.
Summary
If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, report it to law enforcement and your bank as soon as possible. Acting quickly helps prevent further financial loss and supports any investigation or recovery efforts.