Is this Lawyer for online scams legitimate? How to find a reputable law firm that specializes in scams

You’ve been scammed, and you are determined to get your money back.

Hiring a lawyer can feel like taking control of the situation, but is it really worth it?

In our previous post, we walk through why hiring a lawyer for legal action against a scammer is typically a bad idea. The short is: legal action against scammers is often expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally draining—with no guarantee of success. Legal fees can quickly pile up, and the chances of actually recovering your funds are slim, especially when scammers operate in ways that make them almost untouchable. Even worse, some victims end up falling for secondary scams from so-called recovery firms (often pretending to be a lawyer or “fund recovery firm”).

Let’s say you’ve read the post and decided that you still want to hire a lawyer to sue the scammer.

The most important step is making sure you avoid falling victim to the common follow-up scam, a “recovery scam” where scammers pretend to be a lawyer or legitimate business, who promise to recover your money for a set fee, then disappear.

Here’s how to check if a potential lawyer is real, or just another scammer.

Verify The Lawyer or Law Firm Credentials

Before hiring a lawyer to recover funds from a scam, verifying their credentials is non-negotiable. Start by checking if they’re licensed to practice law in your state, country, or region. Most legitimate lawyers are listed in bar association directories.

For instance, in the United States, state bar associations like the California State Bar or the Texas Bar Association provide online tools to verify attorneys’ credentials. These tools often reveal not just licensing status but also any past disciplinary actions.

Beyond licensing, research the lawyer’s professional reputation. Check online reviews on platforms like Google, Avvo, or specialized legal review websites. While not every negative review is a dealbreaker, patterns of complaints about dishonesty or poor communication are red flags.

A real-life example: Sarah, a Texas resident who attended one of our in-person events, fell for an online investment scam and wanted to recover her funds. She found a lawyer online claiming to specialize in scam recovery. A quick check with the Texas Bar revealed the lawyer’s license had been revoked years ago due to fraud. This saved Sarah from potentially losing even more money.

Taking the time to verify credentials might feel tedious, but it’s the foundation for ensuring you’re working with someone trustworthy.

Avoid Upfront (unclear) Payments

One of the biggest red flags when hiring a lawyer for scam recovery is a demand for large upfront payments. This is different from a retainer. Most lawyers require a reasonable retainer, where they provide clear contracts outlining their fee structures and only charge for work performed.

Scammers posing as lawyers often exploit desperation. They use high-pressure tactics to make you feel time is running out and your funds will be lost forever unless you act immediately. This sense of urgency can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive decisions.

To avoid this, always ask for a written agreement before paying anything. Genuine lawyers will never promise guaranteed results, and they’ll be transparent about their billing practices.

Examine Their Communication - Is this something a lawyer would reasonably send?

Professional communication is a hallmark of a legitimate lawyer. If their emails or calls seem overly casual, riddled with errors, or generic in tone, it’s worth reconsidering. Scammers often use poor grammar and templates to mass-target victims. On the other hand, genuine lawyers take the time to address your case personally and explain legal procedures in detail.

Pay attention to the email domain they use. Legitimate lawyers almost always use professional addresses tied to their law firm, like john.doe@lawfirm.com. Free email services, such as Gmail or Yahoo, are red flags.

Scammers often pass along the information from their victim to new scammers. If you’ve lost money from a scam and then get unsolicited communication from a supposed recovery lawyer who uses a Gmail address, addresses you as “Dear Victim” or “Dear Sir/Madam”, sends an email with poor grammar, and gives you promises of fast recovery, you can be sure this is a scam. If you dig a bit deeper, I would bet you wouldn’t find any record of this so-called lawyer’s existence.

Legitimate lawyers pride themselves on professionalism, so trust your instincts if something feels off.

Check Their Physical Office and Reviews

A legitimate lawyer or law firm will have a physical office you can verify. This doesn’t mean you need to visit it, but you should be able to find their address on their website, Google Maps, or legal directories. Scammers often use fake addresses or unverifiable PO boxes to appear legitimate.

If the website lists a building address, do a quick Google Maps search. If the search shows an abandoned building, instead of a building with the law firm’s name and logo, you can be sure this is a scam.

When in doubt, call the office number listed and ask specific questions about their services. Even something as simple as asking to speak to a receptionist can help confirm their legitimacy.

Ask for References and Case Histories

A trustworthy lawyer should have a track record of successful cases. Don’t hesitate to ask for references or examples of past clients they’ve helped recover funds for. While confidentiality may limit specifics, they should provide enough information to demonstrate their experience.

For example, if you lost money in a cryptocurrency scam and find a lawyer who claims to specialize in cryptocurrency scam recovery, ask for references. If the lawyer can provide names of satisfied clients and success stories, this can add legitimacy. Make sure to actually reach out to the past clients and interview them, like you would before hiring a babysitter or employee.

Scammers, on the other hand, often avoid specifics or provide vague, unverifiable claims. If they dodge questions about their experience, consider it a red flag.

Research Their Claims - nothing is “100% guaranteed”

Beware of grand promises like “100% guaranteed recovery” or quick turnaround times. Scams are complex, often involving overseas entities and intricate laundering methods. No lawyer can guarantee recovery.

A credible lawyer will explain the challenges of your case, the realistic odds of recovery, and the steps involved.

Trust Your Gut - if something feels off, move on

Sometimes, intuition can be your best ally. If something feels off about a lawyer’s behavior, claims, or fees, take a step back. Scammers thrive on creating urgency and confusion to prevent you from thinking clearly.

Listen to your instincts. Legitimate professionals won’t pressure you, and they’ll respect your need to take time and make informed decisions.

Putting it all together:

Imagine you receive an email from someone claiming to be a lawyer offering to recover your stolen funds. They claim they’ve successfully helped others but demand $5,000 upfront. The email is riddled with errors, their contact information includes a free email domain, and their website has no verified reviews. When you Google Maps their address, it shows a fast food restaurant. Upon checking, their name doesn’t appear in your state’s bar directory. This is likely a scam, and you should avoid engaging further.

By following these steps and staying vigilant, you can avoid falling victim to secondary scams while navigating the challenging process of hiring a lawyer to recover stolen funds.