FTC warns prior fraud victims are being targeted by recovery scams

The Federal Trade Commission is warning of a scam targeting people who have already been ripped off. Scammers were calling and texting recent scam victims, posing as FTC agents who could recover stolen money, and sending photos of fake agency badges to make the cut. The targets had one thing in common: Each had lost money to a scam before.

Getting scammed once can increase your chances of being targeted again. The Identity Theft Resource Center’s 2026 Identity Trends Report found that 25.6% of identity crime victims are handling two or more incidents simultaneously. The report also found that 62.1% of identity abuse cases involved new account applications.

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WHY SCAMMERS TARGET VETERANS AND HOW TO FIGHT

Why are identity theft victims being targeted again?

Scammers often keep track of who paid, what worked, and how much money was lost. This can turn a scam into a longer cycle of repeated identity theft.

According to the FTC, this type of repeated targeting can pose as a fraudulent bailout offer. The person calling or texting already knows what happened to you and claims they can help you get the money back. Then comes the catch. They request an attorney fee, processing fee, banking information or other personal details.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center also warned that fictitious law firms are targeting victims of cryptocurrency scams with fake offers to recover funds. These plans capitalize on the emotional and financial distress people feel after a loss.

How scam sucker lists put victims at risk

Scam groups maintain what the FTC calls “sucker lists.” These lists may include the victim’s name, address, phone number, type of fraud, and amount paid. Criminals buy and sell listings because they believe that someone who pays once may pay again. The same group may call again with a new story. Or he may sell the information to another fraudster who uses a different presentation.

This is what makes recovery scams so convincing. A caller who knows exactly what you’ve lost and how much you’ve lost may sound official. In reality, this information may have been purchased from a list and repeated to gain your trust.

TEXAS DATA BREACH AFFECTS 3 MILLION LICENSE CUSTOMERS

A stolen Social Security number can continue to put you at risk long after a fake account is closed. (Donato Fasano/Getty Images)

Why does your Social Security number remain valuable?

Your Social Security number cannot be changed like a credit card. When a thief opens an account with your SSN, date of birth, and address, canceling the account only solves part of the problem. Stolen information can still be used.

A bank can issue a new card number within a few days. However, the Social Security Administration allocates a different number only in limited circumstances and usually requires an in-person appointment. This means that the information used in the first fake application may still be available in the next application.

The next redemption may never appear on the card statement. A stolen SSN can be used to withdraw a paycheck in your name, file a tax return before you do, or open a loan from a bank you never used. Aura scans the dark web and over 200 data brokers and person search sites to find exposed SSNs, driver’s license numbers, and email addresses. By noting what’s available and where it’s located, it can alert you when one appears.

Why credit checks can miss repeat identity theft

Most identity fraud involves a new account, such as a credit card, loan or financial account, opened in your name with a company you’ve never used. In its 2026 report, the ITRC found that more than a quarter of identity crime victims were handling two or more incidents simultaneously; This rate was 23.5% the previous year. The center says identity crimes are evolving from isolated incidents to more layered cases that can span multiple accounts and institutions.

Therefore, an occasional credit check may be insufficient. A report you receive every few months may miss an account that opened the week after you looked at it. Aura monitors all three major credit bureaus and can alert you within minutes when a new account or difficult investigation is reported on your file, whether a freeze is on or not. A second fraudulent application months later could trigger another alert.

Fake recovery offers often promise help, then ask for upfront fees, personal information, or risky payment methods. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to avoid money recovery scams

Before you trust someone who promises to get your money back, look for these warning signs and take these steps to protect yourself from getting scammed again.

1) Don’t pay upfront recovery fees

Do not prepay anyone to get your money back. The FTC says genuine government agencies and legitimate organizations will never charge you a fee to recover lost money. They also never ask for your bank account number or Social Security number to do this.

2) Beware of risky payment requests

Scammers often tell you to pay with a gift card, cryptocurrency, bank transfer or payment app. No legitimate refund process works this way.

3) Be careful if the caller knows your lost amount

A caller who knows exactly what you’re missing and how much you buy that information from a list. Scammers use these details to appear official and make you feel like the call must be real.

4) Avoid Telegram, WhatsApp and remote access requests

Fake recovery firms may direct you to Telegram or WhatsApp, then ask for your email address and phone number before announcing a real service. Some may also ask you to install remote access software or share a verification code. Don’t do both.

5) Search results can be modified

Fake recovery firms often place testimonials, websites, and press releases that rank high in search results. This means that a company name you find online should still be checked through official sources.

6) Verification of the refund through official channels

Actual compensation usually comes through official channels. Call the agency yourself and call its published number. Never use the number in an unverified message.

7) Report recovery scams

If someone contacts you with a questionable recovery offer, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the scam involves cryptocurrency, a fake law firm, or online fraud, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

8) Identity theft assistance can reduce the burden

The free credit monitoring service typically lasts about a year after a breach, but stolen records can still be useful to criminals after the alerts have expired. A leaked SSN does not expire on the same schedule.

No service can block every account opened in your name. However, ongoing tri-bureau credit monitoring can alert you when new accounts are reported, rather than a lender turning you down or a collection notice coming weeks later.

Identity theft protection services can also help you respond faster by guiding you through fraud reports, credit bureau disputes, account recovery steps, and documentation needed to repair damage.

See my tips and top picks for Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s important takeaways

Getting scammed once can land you on a list that follows you even after the initial scam ends. The next scam may come with details that seem personal, accurate and convincing. However, this does not legitimize the caller, the texter, or the so-called recovery company. The smartest move is to slow everything down. Never make a down payment to recover stolen money. Never trust a number or link sent by someone who contacts you out of the blue. Also, continue to monitor your credit, Social Security number, and personal information because stolen data may resurface months or even years later.

Have you ever been contacted by someone claiming to be able to get money back after a scam? Let us know by writing to cyberguy.com

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