If you think you’ve been scammed or there’s been an attempt to scam you, there are ways you can fight back.

1. Keep a paper trail

   Nitzsche recommends keeping records of all communication with the collectors. Takes notes on the date and time of every phone call, save emails and texts and gather letters and any other correspondence you receive from the company. If it is legal in your state, record any phone calls. The more information at your disposal, the stronger your complaint will be if you file a report.

2. Reach out to your state’s attorney general or Bridge Pioneers

   Your attorney general’s office is on the alert for scammers and aims to put a halt to fraud such as debt collector scams. Bridge Pioneers also aims to stop fraud and help victims of fraud.

3. Submit a complaint

   You can report a fake debt collection agency to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
   With major debt collection rule changes slated for November 30, 2021, one of the biggest changes is that debt collectors will be allowed to contact you through email, text message and social media direct messages, Nitzsche said.
   “There’s a really good chance that scams will increase with all of these new methods of communication, so be vigilant and remember your rights.”

Bottom line

If a debt collection agency contacts you, do your research before agreeing to repay what you allegedly owe. Start by confirming you owe the debt, as you could be dealing with a scammer looking to prey on innocent consumers. Also, familiarize yourself with common tactics used by scammers, and if you find that you’re dealing with a fraudster, file a report with your state attorney general’s office, the FTC and the CFPB.
But if you determine that the debt does belong to you, know your rights when dealing with debt collectors and file a complaint promptly if they’re violated.

The post How to report fake debt collectors first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

Crypto recovery is a process that parallels chargebacks for credit cards and wire recalls for bank transfers. If you lose your credit card or notice unauthorized charges on it, you can cancel it, contact the bank that issued the credit card and have your charges reversed and returned to you. 
Crypto recovery is more complex than credit card chargebacks, however, which is one reason for choosing experts, such as Bridge Pioneers. Every transaction on the blockchain is recorded permanently. That means that charges can’t be reversed or canceled. The only way to get your money back is to ask for a refund in a separate transaction. 
This creates a unique challenge in the case of financial fraud. Even if an operation was proven fraudulent or charges were unauthorized, you can’t just get money back as you would from a credit card company. 
Crypto transactions are peer-to-peer which means there is very little oversight and there is often no third party to intervene. Although crypto platforms and exchanges try to fight crypto scams, the lack of regulation in the area of cryptocurrencies means there isn’t a lot they can do. 
The nature of the blockchain also makes fund recovery complex. All transactions are anonymous and it can be hard to know who is holding your funds. Given the rising number of crypto scams, there has never been a greater demand for effective crypto scam recovery services to investigate client claims. 

When Do You Need Crypto Recovery from Bitcoin Scams? 

One major question that many of our clients have is whether or not they are really caught in a crypto scam. A broker may seem suspicious, but how do they know their money is actually gone?
Fraudsters take advantage of this kind of uncertainty, and they can gaslight customers into a false sense of security. They may make excuses for not releasing funds or demanding certain fees. That’s why it’s important to consult with us. If you have any doubt about your financial service or broker, there is often a good reason. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to know if you are a victim of crypto scam or you want to start your recovery process

The post What Is Crypto Recovery?  first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.


Cryptocurrencies, often referred to as virtual currencies or tokens, are quite different from typical currencies such as dollars or euros.
Instead of being issued and backed by a government or central bank, cryptocurrencies are digital assets secured by cryptography that can be used as a medium of exchange. Their  validity is typically provided by a blockchain system with an open, distributed ledger recording transactions.
While different forms of cryptocurrencies have been around for years, they became a cultural phenomenon in 2017 when the price of Bitcoin, one of the more established cryptocurrencies, skyrocketed to nearly $20,000, representing an annual gain of over 2000%. While 2018 saw the “Great Crypto Crash,” cryptocurrency remains very popular, with Bitcoin accompanied by other significant cryptocurrencies such as Etherium, Ripple’s XRP, Binance, Tether, and countless others.
In addition, cryptocurrency exchanges have also expanded, providing platforms that allow customers to trade cryptocurrencies for other assets, including conventional currency and other digital currencies.
But as with any financial vehicle, particularly one that is highly volatile and has garnered incredible public interest, there are opportunities for bad actors to defraud investors. Cryptocurrency fraud has become a dominant topic of discussion for government enforcement attorneys, with numerous prominent conference panels and agency bulletins addressing its various forms, the hype versus the reality, the many ways it can facilitate fraud, and efforts to rein in its abuse.
As crypto scams and fraud becomes more common, it will continue to be crucial for whistleblowers to help the SEC, CFTC, and IRS with their enforcement efforts.

Types of Cryptocurrency Fraud

Cryptocurrency fraud and scams can come in many forms, including:

Financial Crimes

Crypto’s instant transactions, portability, and international reach mean it can be used as a new tool for the furtherance of tax avoidance, money-laundering, and bribery.
Scam Initial Coin Offerings
The first offering of a particular cryptocurrency for sale, called an Initial Coin Offering or ICO, can be a means of preying on the unsophisticated. Many ICOs are completely fabricated, with phony bios of nonexistent team members and technical whitepapers copied from other, legitimate cryptocurrencies.

Pump and Dump Schemes

Crypto can provide a new variation of the classic pump and dump scheme, where owners of a stock try to drive the price up before selling off their holdings at an artificial peak. In the crypto world, this is common at the ICO stage, or even beyond, whenever false claims can hype up demand and permit the originators or dominant holders of the cryptocurrency to earn massive phony profits.

Market Manipulation

Fraudsters can attempt to manipulate the markets where cryptocurrencies or related derivative products are traded. Improper market manipulation may include spoofing, front-running, churning, and other schemes.

Ponzi Schemes

Crypto investments can also be used as the vehicle for a traditional Ponzi scheme, where new adopters are necessary to give artificial returns to the early adopters. Purported investments in emerging crypto markets can also serve as the supposed goal for Ponzi schemes. Given that crypto is widely misunderstood, it can be the perfect cover for a bogus scheme.

Traditional Theft

Crypto also provides criminals new opportunities for theft. They can hack investors’ crypto wallets and steal their currency; they can set up fake wallets to bilk counter parties; and they can set up phony crypto exchanges to steal customers’ money.

Broker/Dealer Fraud

The SEC has examined exchanges and funds investing in cryptocurrencies, which may, depending on the circumstances, need to register as broker-dealers or exchanges.

Unscrupulous Promotors

The SEC famously fined Floyd Mayweather and DJ Khaled for failing to disclose payments they received for promoting investments in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).

Regulation of Cryptocurrency

The SEC, CFTC, and IRS all assert regulatory control over cryptocurrency under certain circumstances. For the SEC, a given cryptocurrency must qualify as a security, or the “investment of money in a common enterprise with a reasonable expectation of profits to be derived from the entrepreneurial or managerial efforts of others.” The SEC developed its application of this test to cryptocurrency in its now-famous report on The DAO, a German crypto ecosystem.

The CFTC also has authority to regulate crypto as a commodity in accordance with the Commodity Exchange Act. The CFTC has recently stated that crypto enforcement is a top priority because of its high risks for investor fraud.
The IRS has also taken the position that cryptocurrency investments are assets that should be treated like any other for tax purposes, permitting it to tax returns on crypto investments. And through its Criminal Investigations Division, the IRS can pursue money-laundering crimes committed with cryptocurrency. Enforcement efforts by the SEC, CFTC, and IRS can also extend internationally to schemes that have violated U.S. laws.
If you have been scammed or know anyone who has been, you can report to us using this Link and we would help you with recovery services.

The post More About Crypto Fraud first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.