What a First Assessment Covers

What actually gets covered

A first assessment works through the specific facts of your case: what happened, how much was lost, how the money moved, and what evidence you already have. This is not a general talk about scams, but a look at your situation specifically.

From there, it covers what realistic options exist, such as a civil claim or a freezing order, and roughly what each would involve.

The conversation also looks at the strength of what you already have, since evidence such as transfer records and messages often shapes what is realistic more than the story alone.

The questions you should expect

Expect to be asked when the loss happened, how the payment was made, and whether you know anything about who received it. These details decide far more about what is possible than the amount alone.

You may also be asked what you have already done, such as a bank report or a police report, since this affects what steps remain open. None of these questions are a test to pass; they simply help build an accurate picture so the advice that follows actually fits your situation.

What you leave with

You should leave with a plain view of whether pursuing your case further makes sense, not a guarantee of any outcome. This includes an honest read on whether legal action is worth it for your specific amount and timing.

Even if the answer is that formal action is not worth pursuing right now, that clarity is still useful, since it saves you from spending on a path unlikely to help. A first assessment can also flag a step worth taking immediately, such as a report you have not yet made, even before any legal question is settled.

Why it does not commit you to anything

A first assessment is a conversation, not an engagement. You decide afterward, on your own time, whether to take any further step, and having this conversation does not obligate you to proceed.

This is also the point where fee arrangements, if you choose to proceed, would be explained clearly before any commitment. Take whatever time you need afterward to think it over, since there is no expectation that you decide on the spot.

What to do next

Gather what you already have, even if it is incomplete, since it gives the conversation more to work with. You do not need a perfect record before reaching out.

Read more about when a lawyer can genuinely help if you are still deciding whether this is the right time, and send a short message when you are ready. Reaching out for this conversation is often the single step that turns uncertainty into a clear plan.