If your cryptocurrency was stolen or you were conned into sending it, the first 24 hours are critical. What you do now can determine whether exchanges or law enforcement will even consider preservation steps. This one-page guide—written for individuals and businesses in Florida—walks you through a clear, court-aware response you can execute today.

There are no credit-card style chargebacks on the blockchain. What can work is a fast, well-documented response that helps exchanges or law enforcement take preservation steps while funds are in motion or sitting at a known service. That means: (1) gather clean evidence (TXIDs, wallet addresses, chats, URLs, timestamps); (2) notify any exchange the funds touched with a concise, professional incident summary; (3) file official reports (FBI IC3, FTC, and in some matters the Florida Attorney General). 

1) Capture Evidence Immediately

Pause before doing anything else. Document everything

  • Wallet addresses (yours and the destination), TXIDs/transaction links, timestamps, amounts.

  • Screenshots of payment pages, phishing sites, fake brand pages, emails, DMs, and chats.

  • Any usernames, referral codes, invoice numbers, or ticket IDs.

    Create a simple timeline (who/what/when/where/how) and keep it updated. Save files in a single folder, and don’t rename originals—preserve metadata.

2) Secure Accounts and Devices

Change passwords to unique, long passphrases and enable 2FA (app-based, not SMS) on email, exchange, and wallet accounts. If you still control any assets, move remaining funds to a hardened wallet you control. Update and scan your devices to reduce the chance that the attacker still has access.

3) Notify Exchanges the Right Way

If funds touched an exchange (e.g., Coinbase, Binance, KuCoin, Kraken), open a support ticket immediately. Use concise, compliance-minded language and include:

  • Your timeline, TXIDs, source/destination addresses

  • Screenshots/links to fraudulent messages or sites

  • A clear preservation request (do not demand a “chargeback”—that doesn’t exist on chain)

    Avoid contacting the scammer again. Your written, consistent evidence package is far more persuasive than back-and-forth messages with a criminal.

4) File Official Reports (Same Day)

Submit a complaint to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and a report to the FTC. Copy your timeline, TXIDs, and screenshots into both reports and save your confirmation numbers. Early, detailed reporting increases the likelihood of preservation or investigative interest.

5) Florida-Specific Actions

Floridians should keep every detail (TXIDs, wallet addresses, chats, screenshots) and consider notifying the Florida Attorney General or local authorities where appropriate. Because records and responses can vary, your consistency across all submissions—exchange, IC3, FTC, AG—builds credibility.

6) Myths to Ignore

  • “Crypto can be reversed like a card chargeback.” False. Most transfers are irreversible.

  • “Screenshots are enough.” Often inadequate. Native files + links + TXIDs matter.

  • “Blockchain is untraceable.” Wrong. On-chain movements are public and traceable; the challenge is attribution.

  • “I should wipe my chats once I file.” Never destroy potential evidence—preserve it.

7) What Not to Do

  • Don’t pay “recovery agents” who promise guaranteed results.

  • Don’t alter or crop evidence; keep full threads and original messages.

  • Don’t mix new facts into your story each time you report—keep one timeline and reuse it.

8) How Lawrensics Helps (Florida Digital Forensics & Crypto Tracing)

At Lawrensics Investigations, we translate chaos into court-ready documentation. Our team helps victims and businesses:

  • Assemble a clean evidence package (TXIDs, addresses, timelines, screenshots, hashes)

  • Draft exchange preservation requests and bar-safe language for reports

  • Perform preliminary blockchain tracing to map flows across wallets and services

  • Advise on ESI preservation (texts, emails, app messages) so nothing critical is lost

  • Coordinate with your counsel to keep chain-of-custody and admissibility in focus

Bottom line: act quickly, document thoroughly, and keep your story consistent. That disciplined approach gives you the best chance of meaningful next steps.

If you need a concise checklist or help drafting a preservation letter, Lawrensics Investigations is here to help you document your case swiftly and precisely—serving clients across South Florida and statewide. Reach out to us today for a calm, actionable plan