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What To Do If You Sent Bitcoin to a Scammer

If you sent Bitcoin to a scammer, act quickly to help protect your accounts and personal information. Unfortunately, Bitcoin transactions usually cannot be reversed once confirmed on the blockchain.


⛔ Stop Sending Funds Immediately

If the scammer is requesting:

  • additional payments

  • “unlock fees”

  • recovery fees

  • taxes or verification payments

do not send more Bitcoin.

Many scammers continue asking for additional payments after the initial transaction.

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🔐 Secure Your Accounts

If you shared any sensitive information, take steps to secure your accounts immediately.

This may include:

  • changing passwords

  • enabling two-factor authentication

  • securing your email account

  • reviewing recent account activity

⚠️ If you shared your seed phrase or wallet recovery words, move your Bitcoin to a new wallet immediately if possible.

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📢 Report the Scam

Depending on the situation, you may wish to:

  • report the scam to local authorities

  • report suspicious websites or accounts

  • contact your bank if banking information was involved

  • notify 1Bitcoin.ca support if your account may be affected

  • document the incident by keeping records of all communications, screenshots, and transaction details

  • report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or the equivalent authority in your region

To contact support:

  • request a live agent through support

  • provide the Bitcoin transaction ID (TXID) via the chat on our website to confirm whether the transaction involved our platform

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🚩 Be Careful of Recovery Scams

After losing Bitcoin, some users are later contacted by fake “recovery companies” claiming they can recover lost funds for a fee.

Many of these services are scams as well. Always rely on official channels and law enforcement for assistance.

Be cautious of anyone:

  • promising guaranteed recovery

  • requesting upfront Bitcoin payments

  • asking for your seed phrase or wallet access

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⚠️ Important Reminder

Bitcoin transactions are usually permanent once confirmed on the blockchain. 1Bitcoin.ca operates as a non-custodial service, meaning we do not hold client funds or Bitcoin. All transactions are initiated and completed directly by users, and as such, we cannot reverse or recover funds once they are sent.

Recovery may not always be possible once funds are sent.

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