1
Contact your bank
Notify your bank or financial institution immediately. They may be able to recall or freeze the payment before it settles.
Scam prevention
Your money, protected by you — and by us.
AstroPay works around the clock to detect and prevent fraud, with transaction monitoring and screening across every payment on our platform. This page shows how scams work, how to confirm you're really talking to AstroPay, and what to do if something feels wrong.
Monitored 24/7Every transaction screened in real time
Verified channels onlyWe never ask for your password
Report anytimeFraud team on standby via Help Centre
The basics
What is a scam?
A scam happens when someone tricks you into sending money or digital assets to them, then keeps it for themselves. Scammers often impersonate people and organisations you trust — using convincing documents, emails, calls, or texts — and may ask you to install an app or sign up on a fake investment site.
Most victims are first approached through investment, trading, or chat groups, and the pitch usually involves unrealistically high returns or "exclusive" access to opportunities that aren't really available to the public.
Common first-contact channels
WhatsApp groupsTelegramSignalSocial media DMsCold callsFake investment sites
If something happened
Think you've been scammed?
If a transaction or message mentions AstroPay and you believe it's fraud, act quickly — the sooner you report it, the better the chance of stopping the payment.
2
Report it to the authorities
File a report with your local law enforcement or cybercrime agency. This creates an official record and supports recovery efforts.
3
Tell AstroPay
Reach our fraud team through the Help Centre so we can investigate and help protect other users.
Verify the source
Is this really AstroPay?
Genuine AstroPay communications always come from our official app, our verified domains, and our published support channels — never from a personal account or an unlisted number.
We will never ask you to
- ✕Share your password or one-time passcode
- ✕Disclose your full login or authentication details
- ✕Send personal information over social media
- ✕Move funds to a "safe" or temporary account
- ✕Transfer money or assets for "verification"
Pattern recognition
How to spot a scam
Scammers rely on a small set of tactics, dressed up differently each time. Once you recognise the pattern, they're much easier to catch.
Manufactured urgency
Pressure to act "right now" — a limited offer, an expiring deadline, a payment that supposedly can't wait.
Guaranteed high returns
Promises of outsized, risk-free profits, often tied to crypto, "algorithmic trading," or AI.
Borrowed trust
Impersonating a bank, regulator, colleague, friend, or real employee to seem credible instantly.
Slow-built relationships
Weeks of friendly chat on social media or messaging apps before money ever comes up.
Emotional manipulation
Fabricated emergencies or romantic connections used to justify urgent payments.
False exclusivity
Framing the opportunity as "invite-only" or available to just a select few.
Polished presentation
Professional-looking sites, apps, or contracts designed purely to look legitimate.
Payment redirection
Last-minute requests to send funds to a new account, often "for security" or "compliance."
Escalating requests
Small early "wins" or fake profits used to justify progressively larger payments.
Build habits that protect you
How to protect yourself
A few habits go a long way toward keeping your money and information out of reach.
✓
Don't rush
Pause on any request to act urgently and verify it independently first.
✓
Check identities
Look up companies or people before sending money — watch for misspelled emails or domains.
✓
Confirm licensing
Check the local financial services register before trusting a firm with your money.
✓
Guard personal details
Never share ID documents with people you've only met online.
✓
Keep control of your accounts
Never let someone else open or manage a payment account or wallet on your behalf.
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Skip remote access
Don't install software that lets a stranger control your device or accounts.
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Be wary of new counterparties
Take extra care sending money to anyone you've only met through social media or a group chat.
✓
Question payment changes
Treat unexpected changes to payment details as a red flag until verified.
✓
Watch for recovery scams
Anyone who says they can recover lost funds for an upfront fee is very likely scamming you again.
✓
Keep communication secure
Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments in unexpected messages.
✓
Ask before you act
When in doubt, talk to someone you trust or contact us using verified details.
✓
Review before sending
Double-check payment details carefully, especially for first-time or high-value transfers.
Something doesn't feel right?
Reach the AstroPay fraud team through the Help Centre. The sooner we hear from you, the more we can do.