The Federal Trade Commission has issued a warning about a sophisticated scam targeting individuals who have already been victims of a previous fraud. Scammers are posing as FTC agents, calling and texting recent victims, and claiming they can recover stolen money. This tactic is particularly effective, as the targets often had lost money to a scam before.
The Identity Theft Resource Center's 2026 Trends in Identity Report found that repeat identity crime victims are more likely to be targeted again. The report revealed that 25.6% of identity crime victims were managing two or more incidents at the same time, and 62.1% of attempted identity misuse cases involved new account applications.
The FTC warns that this kind of repeat targeting can manifest as a fake recovery offer, where the caller or texter claims they can help get the money back. However, the catch is that they ask for a retainer, processing fee, bank information, or other personal details. This tactic exploits the emotional and financial strain people feel after a loss.
Scam groups keep "sucker lists," which include a victim's name, address, phone number, type of scam, and amount paid. These lists are bought and sold by criminals, who believe that someone who paid once may pay again. The same group may call back with a new story or sell the information to another scammer who uses a different pitch.
The information used in the first fraudulent application may still be available for the next one, as a Social Security number cannot be replaced like a credit card. A bank can issue a new card number in days, but the Social Security Administration assigns a different number only in limited cases and generally requires an in-person appointment.
The next use may never appear on a card statement. A stolen SSN can be used to draw a paycheck under your name, file a tax return before you do, or open a loan at a bank you have never used. Identity theft protection services can help alert you to new accounts and guide you through fraud reports and credit bureau disputes.
Before trusting anyone promising to get your money back, look for warning signs and take steps to protect yourself. Never pay anyone up front to recover your money, as real government agencies and legitimate organizations never charge fees to recover lost money.
Scammers often tell you to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or a payment app, but no legitimate refund process works that way. A caller who knows exactly what you lost and how much may have bought that information from a list. Bogus recovery firms may steer you to Telegram or WhatsApp and ask for your email and phone number before explaining any real service.
Real restitution usually comes through official channels. Look up the agency yourself and call its published number. Never use the number from an unverified message. If someone contacts you with a suspicious recovery offer, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
Ongoing three-bureau credit monitoring may alert you to new accounts when they are reported, instead of weeks later when a lender turns you down or a collections notice arrives. 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 the damage.
The smartest move is to slow everything down. Never pay upfront to recover stolen money, and never trust a number or link sent by someone who contacted you out of the blue. Keep watching your credit, your Social Security number, and your personal information because stolen data can resurface months or even years later.
