If you have already lost money to a scam, you could be targeted again. Here is how to protect yourself and find genuine legal help.
Being scammed can leave you feeling angry, vulnerable and unsure of who to trust. For many people, the worst part is knowing the money is gone and feeling helpless to get it back.
Sadly, that is exactly what fraudsters rely on.
Recovery scams are one of the most heartless forms of fraud. They target people who have already lost money, using that loss to manipulate them into parting with even more. If someone contacts you claiming they can help recover your money, especially if they ask for an upfront fee, it could be a fake refund company or a scammer impersonating a trusted firm like CEL Solicitors.
In this article, we explain what recovery scams are, how they work, and how to spot the warning signs. We also explain how CEL Solicitors is different, and why thousands of people trust us to help recover what is rightfully theirs.
What is a Recovery Scam?
A recovery scam is a second scam that targets people who have already been defrauded. The scammers pretend to be from a legitimate law firm, refund company, or even the police. They say they can help recover your lost money, but ask for payment upfront, often claiming it is needed to unlock funds, pay taxes, or verify your account.
Scammers can seem convincing because they already have information about your original fraud. They might mention the company or platform you were scammed by, the amount you lost, or your name, phone number, and email address.
Sometimes it is the same fraudsters coming back. Other times, your details may have been sold on what is known as a sucker list — a database of previous scam victims. Either way, the aim is the same: to take more money when you are at your most vulnerable.
In some recent examples, scammers have even claimed your funds are being held in a secure wallet ready for recovery, pretended to be real CEL Solicitors staff members, invented fake case numbers and email addresses, and sent cold emails saying your claim is ready while directing victims to WhatsApp for updates.
How Do Recovery Scams Work?
Recovery scams often follow a familiar pattern.
1. Initial contact. You receive a phone call, email, or WhatsApp message from someone claiming to represent a refund company, law firm, or the police. They might say your case has progressed or that money is waiting to be released.
2. Building trust. They refer to details of your original scam, often things you have not shared publicly. They might name the platform, quote a specific loss amount, or use official-sounding titles like “Fraud Recovery Specialist.”
3. The promise of help. You are told that your funds have been located and are being held in a secure account or digital wallet. The scammer might say all you need to do is complete one final step.
4. An upfront payment. Before the money can be released, you are asked to pay a fee, often described as a refundable deposit, tax, escrow charge, or compliance fee. In one example, a scammer requested over $1,600 to release funds supposedly held in an escrow account.
5. Silence, or more demands. After the payment, the scammer may vanish. In other cases, they ask for more money, claiming new legal requirements or banking delays.
It is a cruel cycle that plays on hope, and it can leave victims feeling worse than before.
How to Spot a Fake Scam Recovery Company
Spotting a recovery scam is not always easy, especially when you are desperate for answers. But there are clear warning signs.
They ask for money upfront. A genuine solicitor will not charge you before doing any work. CEL Solicitors operates on a no-win, no-fee basis — if we do not win your case, you do not pay us anything.
They contact you out of the blue. If someone calls, emails, or messages you about a scam you have not spoken to them about, be cautious, especially if they mention specific amounts or case details. All CEL clients come to us first. We never cold-call or cold-message anyone.
They use pressure tactics. Scammers often claim the offer is time-sensitive or that you will lose your right to recover if you do not act quickly. This is a trick to make you panic.
They use suspicious email addresses. Real CEL emails only come from @celsolicitors.co.uk. Scammers often use similar-looking addresses with typos or Gmail and Outlook accounts. If in doubt, call us directly using the number on our official website.
They impersonate real CEL staff. Several scams have used the names of genuine CEL Solicitors employees. In one recent example, a scammer claimed over $8,000 had been recovered but would only be released once a £1,600 escrow tax was paid. No such fee exists. This is a scam.
They push for WhatsApp or encrypted chat. Some scam emails encourage victims to communicate over WhatsApp or untraceable platforms. This is not standard practice for any regulated UK law firm.
If something does not feel right, it is okay to pause and check. A legitimate firm will never rush you or make you feel uncomfortable for asking questions.
For more information, read our guides on 7 ways to spot scammers pretending to be CEL Solicitors, how fake online ads could trick you, and fake social media accounts claiming to be CEL Solicitors.
Are You Being Targeted Again?
If you have already lost money to a scam, you may be more vulnerable to future fraud. Scammers often share or sell information between themselves, including your contact details, the amount you lost, and how you paid.
This can lead to repeat targeting months or even years later. You may be contacted by someone who mentions your original scam, claims to work with your bank or the Financial Ombudsman, says they are investigating on your behalf, or provides a fake case number to sound more credible.
Some have even gone as far as spoofing CEL’s address and copying real information from our website, including our SRA number and company registration, in an attempt to trick people.
If you are ever unsure whether a message, call, or email is genuinely from CEL Solicitors, please contact us directly. We are always happy to confirm whether the contact is legitimate.
How CEL Solicitors Is Different
CEL Solicitors is a legitimate UK law firm that helps people recover money lost to fraud. We never ask for payment up front.
We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means you do not pay anything unless we win your case.
We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No: 633955) and have successfully recovered over £150 million for clients across the UK. As a regulated law firm, we have legal powers and protections that most refund companies and fake recovery firms simply do not have.
Thousands of people have trusted us to help them get their money back, and we are proud to have earned over 10,000 five-star reviews on platforms like Trustpilot.
A Proven Track Record of Getting Results
At CEL Solicitors, we have helped thousands of people across the UK recover money lost to scams. We have taken on banks, businesses, and fraudulent platforms, and we are proud to say we have recovered over £150 million for our clients.
We know how devastating it feels when your trust has been abused. But with the right legal support, recovery is possible.
“They know what they’re doing, they know what they’re looking for. I’ve always thought in life, if you want to get something done you go to the experts — and CEL are the experts. That’s what they do. They deal with the Financial Ombudsman on a daily basis. When you get scammed you feel angry, a victim, like you’ve let your family down. You’re just in a really bad place.” — Mr Hoadley, CEL Client
How to Protect Yourself Going Forward
Do not trust anyone who contacts you first. If you did not reach out to them, treat the message with caution, especially if they know personal details or ask for money.
Never pay upfront fees. CEL Solicitors will never ask for payment before your case begins. If someone asks for money to release your funds, stop and double-check.
Check credentials carefully. Verify that any company you speak to is regulated and registered. You can check whether a firm is authorised on the FCA Register or the SRA’s online database.
Check email addresses and contact details. Scammers often use misspelt or unofficial domains. If you are ever unsure, call us directly using the number on our official website.
Look for real reviews and results. Genuine firms have verifiable track records. Ours includes over 10,000 five-star reviews and over £150 million recovered for clients.
Do not be rushed or pressured. Real legal help gives you time to think. Scammers want you to act fast. Never let them rush you.
You Are Not Alone. Just Tell CEL.
If you have been scammed and you are now being targeted again, please do not face it alone.
CEL Solicitors is a trusted UK law firm that deals with scam recovery every day. We understand how distressing this can be, and we are here to help.
We will never ask for money up front. We will never pressure you to act quickly. We will always treat your case with care and discretion.
Start your claim today or read more about how our fraud and scam recovery service works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a scam recovery company? A scam recovery company claims to help people get money back after being scammed, usually charging an upfront fee. Many of these are scams themselves, targeting vulnerable people who have already lost money. Genuine legal firms like CEL Solicitors usually work on a no-win, no-fee basis and never charge upfront.
How do I know if a recovery company is legitimate? A legitimate firm will be regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Financial Conduct Authority. They will never ask for money up front, never cold-contact you, and will not pressure you to act quickly. If in doubt, contact the firm directly using contact details from their official website, not those provided by the person who contacted you.
Can I get my money back after being scammed twice? Yes, in many cases. If you have been scammed and then targeted by a recovery scam, CEL Solicitors can review both situations and advise on your options. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so there is no financial risk in finding out whether we can help.
What should I do if I think I am being targeted by a recovery scam? Stop all contact with the person or company immediately. Do not make any payments. Report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk and to your bank. If the scammer is impersonating CEL Solicitors, contact us directly so we can confirm whether the contact is genuine and advise on next steps.
How much does CEL Solicitors charge? CEL Solicitors works on a no-win, no-fee basis. You do not pay anything up front and only pay if we successfully recover your money. Our fee is taken from the amount recovered, not charged to you separately.
Is CEL Solicitors a legitimate company? Yes. CEL Solicitors is a regulated UK law firm, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No: 633955). We have recovered over £150 million for clients across the UK and have over 10,000 verified five-star reviews on platforms like Trustpilot.
